Accor Asia Pacific has announced the official launch of its new Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), to help develop employment opportunities for indigenous Australians.
In partnership with Reconciliation Australia, the plan is said to be the largest and most comprehensive RAP in the Australian hospitality industry.
“With over 150 hotels in Australia, the greatest geographical spread of city and regional locations, and the relationships we have built with Indigenous employment partners, Accor is well equipped to achieve our goal of seeing 100 Indigenous employees trained and employed in Accor hotels across Australia each year,” said Simon McGrath, Vice President of Accor Australia.
Accor’s original ‘Indigenous Employment Program’, which was established in 2001, has seen more than 600 Indigenous Australians employed in Accor’s Australian hotels. The latest phase of the scheme marks a further commitment to closing the gap between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians through employment and training, partnering with Indigenous Businesses, and community involvement to increase knowledge about the Indigenous culture.
“We are proud of what has been achieved so far under our Indigenous Employment Program and look forward to excelling as an example within the industry and greater community of an Employer that is truly committed to supporting Indigenous Australians,” said McGrath.
Leah Armstrong, CEO Reconciliation Australia, said; “We know from the 2010 Race Relations Barometer survey that 87% of Australians agree that the relationship with the Indigenous people of this country is important – and it is industry leaders like Accor that put this belief into practice by establishing ongoing employment and training and building cultural awareness throughout its industry and overall community.”
Support from partners and Indigenous leaders in attendance at the launch included Allan Madden – Elder from the Gadigal Land who gave the official welcome; Leah Armstrong, CEO Reconciliation Australia and Senator the Hon. Mark Arbib, Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development.
Pictured (from left): Senator Mark Arbib, Australia’s Minister for Indigenous Employment & Economic Development; Simon McGrath, Vice President, Accor Australia; and Leah Armstrong, CEO, Reconciliation Australia at the RAP launch at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.
Comments are closed.