Woolworths : Kalgoorlie leads the way in Indigenous employment program

Wednesday, 17 May 2017: The success of the early stages of the Woolworths Resourcing the Future program was celebrated at Kalgoorlie today, with 16 employees of the supermarket now part of the initiative aimed at increasing diversity and employment opportunities across the Woolworths Group nationwide.

The program is a part of Woolworths' commitment to drive employment growth of Indigenous people in Australia and ensure that the company reflects the communities in which they serve.

Woolworths is part of the Employment Parity Initiative (EPI), a government initiative that supports Australia's largest employers moving to a 3 per cent Indigenous workforce - reflecting that Indigenous Australians are 3 percent of the Australian population.

The number of Indigenous employees in Western Australia at Woolworths represents 12% of all new hires over the past year alone in the state. Kalgoorlie represents the number one store for employment for Indigenous employees thanks in large part to the Resourcing the Future program.

Woolworths Head of Diversity and Culture, Tony Backshall said; 'We have received great feedback on the ground in Kalgoorlie on the early success of the program, with the local community and our wider team embracing the team members.

'We are 100% committed to delivering Indigenous employment opportunities across our company and have a commitment to hire 1600 new indigenous team members as a part of the program and are on the right path with 761 Indigenous employees hired since the start of the program in 2016.

'The success of the program in Kalgoorlie and across the country has been made possible due to Woolworths' EPI Partnership with Minister Scullion and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Woolworths is supported by Diversity Dimensions to train, support and mentor Indigenous employees.'

Diversity Dimensions General Manager, Mimi Kind said; 'Woolworths has embraced this program with a level of commitment that inspires us - that commitment can be seen at all levels of the organisation from the board and senior leaders right through to store managers and team members. This is why we are seeing such great results in this program - with a retention rate of over 80% of Indigenous employees that we place.
'These programs can and do change lives. We've seen first-hand the impact it has had on the lives of individuals, families and their community - in particular in communities like Kalgoorlie where employment opportunities can be limited.'

The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion said; 'Kalgoorlie is a town that has been through a lot and that is why I am so pleased that Woolworths has shown corporate leadership by joining the Employment Parity Initiative and making a real difference to the people of Kalgoorlie and countless other towns and communities across the country.

'The Coalition Government introduced the Employment Parity Initiative as part of a range of new initiatives to give Indigenous jobseekers an opportunity at a real job and end the cycle of training for training's sake. I am so pleased that these 16 new employees in Kalgoorlie are part of nearly 52,000 jobs we have created for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians since I became Minister.

'This is a great example of how business and government can work together and is testament to the hard work of the supermarket, its team members and partners in coming together to achieve a common goal - to reduce unemployment in the Indigenous community.'

Anita Morrison has been part of the program at Kalgoorlie since October 2016. Growing up in Kalgoorlie with seven siblings, Anita has spent her time studying commerce with a focus on social work. She is a big part of her local community and plays basketball for the local Kalgoorlie Heat team.

Anita is also an integral part of frontline team and a well-recognised face within the supermarket, working as customer service officer.

Anita Morrison said; 'Without this program, there would be a limited number of opportunities within the town for employment for those within the Indigenous community. Having this role has not only provided me with a great opportunity for a long term career but opportunities for my wider family due to ongoing employment with a well-recognised brand.'

For further information please contact Alex Baker at PPR
P: 9388 0944 |M: 0409 863 629 | Alex.Baker@ppr.com.au

*Ends*