Diversity and inclusion – moving the needle in Indigenous employment and engagement
Mark Williamson A C and Mark Wilson BA Broadspectrum, Level 5,181 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth, WA 6004, Australia.
B Inpex, 1235 Channel Island Road, Wickham, NT 0822, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: mark.williamson@broadspectrum.com
The APPEA Journal 59(2) 753-755 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ18167
Accepted: 18 April 2019 Published: 17 June 2019
Abstract
With global exposure, a combined revenue of over AU$60 billion and total employees in excess of 250 000, it could be construed that supporting the maintenance services to the newly commissioned Ichthys LNG plant in Darwin, Northern Territory, would be ‘business as usual’. However, committing to diversity and inclusion targets, which include indigenous employment of 15% within 3 years, dictate a rethink and a breakaway from tried and tested approaches. Despite advancement in technology and the ability to reach large audiences through social and other media sources, it was apparent that a different approach would be required in order to successfully attain such targets and to create sustainable relationships within the community. The powerful effect of direct communication, together with the recognised need to apply a positive bias has seen the initial targets exceeded within the first year of operation: the indigenous engagement level being in excess of 20% and, more importantly, trust and strong ties being established within the community. Not so much an accomplishment in itself, but a work in progress, the benefits of adopting such an approach are being felt not only in the NT but across the whole of Australia, Europe and the world.
Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI), commitment, communities, Darwin, engage, diversity, inclusion, indigenous, LNG, Northern Territory, opportunities, recognise, relationships, respect, trust.
Mark Williamson is the Executive General Manager West, Resources for Broadspectrum. Mark has a strong services industry background spanning over 30 years in the oil and gas, industrial and resources industry. He has a proven track record in leading and developing both organisations and individuals to sustainable accomplishments and has been responsible for growing safe and successful businesses across Europe, North America, Middle East, Asia and Australia, holding a variety of positions throughout his career including Project Manager, Contracts Director, Regional Director and Chief Operating Officer. Mark holds a degree in Business Studies attained from Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK. |
Mark Wilson is the Maintenance Manager at the Ichthys LNG facility in Darwin, operated by INPEX Australia. Mark has over 25 years’ experience in a diverse range of industries including refineries, smelters and various oil and gas facilities, both upstream and downstream, nationally and internationally. Through his various maintenance leadership roles within organisations such as Alcoa, BHP Billiton, Woodside and INPEX Operations, he has demonstrated a passion for developing teams and implementing best practice maintenance. Mark holds a degree in Master of Maintenance and Reliability Engineering attained from Monash University, Australia. |
