Creating culturally responsive and safe workplaces for the advancement of First Nations people

Abstract

Attempting to close the gap with respect to employment of First Nations people is, rightly, a key goal of most Australian businesses. Many companies are developing Reconciliation Action Plans (RAP) or other specific strategies and policies, aimed at engaging, supporting and increasing Indigenous employees within their workforce. However, First Nations people continue to be vastly under-represented in Australia’s workforce; and of those who do obtain work, a much smaller percentage remain in sustainable employment compared to their non-Indigenous colleagues. To achieve meaningful and sustainable change in employment – and therefore the lives – of First Nations people, we must create culturally responsive and safe workplaces. A dedicated Indigenous employment, development and support team at Ventia is doing just that – helping to create an organisational culture that is trauma informed, supports truth-telling conversations, values First Nations people’s unique ways of working, and provides individual and systemic interventions to break down barriers. Using a three-pronged approach – being trauma informed, prioritising personal welfare, and shifting the broader company’s mindset – the TRECCA team is achieving notable results and sustainable advancement for Ventia’s First Nations employees’ and their communities.