14 JUNE 2017 - The launch today of a ground breaking partnership led by Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) with TFE Hotels and the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) at Adina Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront is set to increase Indigenous employment opportunities in the Northern Territory.
The launch today of a ground breaking partnership led by Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) with TFE Hotels and the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) at Adina Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront is set to increase Indigenous employment opportunities in the Northern Territory.
The Larrakia Darwin Hotel Partnership comprising of Cristilee Houghton of IBA, Giselle Collins Independent IBA Chairman and Ian Trust and Jim Lewis of the Wunan Foundation has developed an Indigenous Engagement Strategy aimed at increasing Indigenous employment, training and procurement opportunities.
TFE Hotels Chief Operating Officer Chris Sedgwick said the launch of the Indigenous Engagement Strategy was the result of two years of hard work and collaboration between hotel owners Toga Group, IBA and Wunan Foundation.
“We are proud of our history of Indigenous employment and leadership development at
TFE Hotels and this strategy is an excellent continuation of that,” he said. “The strategy will be delivered via a year-long program of initiatives that aim to make measurable and sustainable differences to people’s lives”.
“We will focus on six key areas: Workplace Environment; Attraction and Recruitment; Retention; Career Pathways and capability building; Procurement and Governance and Reporting”.
“Today marks our commitment towards closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in employment and other areas. Our aim is to increase our Indigenous employment levels from 16 per cent in 2016 to 32 per cent in 2018, from six to twelve employees and from two to four suppliers.
Chairman of IBA and ILC Eddie Fry said the Indigenous Engagement Strategy was backed by a significant investment of human and financial resources.
“The Indigenous Land Corporation will fund jobs for 10 Indigenous workers at the hotels between now and 30 June 2018, with a grant of $737,513 under the Real Jobs program,” Mr Fry said.
“The Real Jobs Program is funded through the Australian Government and operates specifically in the Northern Territory to provide up 150 jobs across the tourism, agricultural and land management
sectors. TFE Hotels are to be applauded for their commitment to Indigenous jobs and economic development.”
TFE Hotels has hired Indigenous Liaison Coordinator Barbara Baugh to oversee the project and hire new team members under the scheme, which is funded by the hotel and ILC. The hotel manager will oversee the establishment of a mentoring program to support the new employees.
“All Indigenous team members will have a mentor, while a ‘buddy’ system will enable them to seek understanding and clarification regarding hotel systems, while non-Indigenous people will gain an enhanced understanding of culture,” Mr Sedgwick said.
“We will also create opportunities at the hotel so Indigenous culture can be shared with guests. You’ll see this via the Indigenous team members who will meet and greet guests and provide concierge services, in our Welcome to Country video playing on all guestroom TV’s, and in the local Indigenous products we give as amenities on arrival to VIP and Corporate Guests. All hotel management and team members will take part in cultural awareness training, with standards to be developed in consultation with Indigenous staff.”
Adina Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront acknowledges the Larrakia people as the traditional owners of the Darwin region and pays its respects to Larrakia elders past and present. We acknowledge and respect the country itself including trees, animals, spirits, waters, skies, stars and special sites.
EVENT DETAILS
Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony on waterfront lawn
Wednesday 14 June, 4pm
Curve Restaurant, Adina Vibe Hotel Darwin
7 Kitchener Dr, Darwin City NT 0800
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IBA
Daniel Hughes
PR Coordinator
(02) 6110 2731
TFE HOTELS
Natasha Granath
Marketing Communications Manager
ngranath@tfehotels.com
(02) 9356 1048
Real Jobs Program - Indigenous Land Corporation
Eric Roberts
National Public Affairs Manager
(08) 8100 7148