Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders at Arcadis Australia Pacific
Our vision
Our vision for reconciliation in Australia is one where all Australians work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples towards building our diverse identity, where we can share and celebrate a common history and culture and understanding of our country. We believe that Arcadis can contribute positively towards reconciliation, creating a sustainable, respectful, and prosperous future for everyone.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan
Arcadis exists to improve the quality of life of our communities, our clients and our people. Improving the quality of life is more than our passion, it is what drives us to find long-lasting, sustainable solutions to the world’s biggest challenges, while making a difference to the quality of life of everyone, now and in the future.
In May 2021, Reconciliation Australia approved and endorsed Arcadis Australia Pacific's Second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
As engineers, project managers, and advisors on projects across Australia, our RAP recognizes the role we play in advising and shaping future projects. Arcadis is committed to continuing our journey of creating a positive impact, through positioning our people to influence the outcomes of projects, ensuring a positive contribution to the communities where we operate.
Our RAP contains a detailed and transparent range of strategies and measurable actions that we are committed to undertaking.
In delivering the commitments in this plan we recognise the importance of continuing to nurture the relationships that we have established with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as well as in building new ones.
‘NGEYRAN PARAI’ SALTWATER COUNTRY by the award-winning Aboriginal artist of the Wanaruah Nation, Saretta Fielding.
Our Partnerships
Engineering Aid Australia
Prior to the establishment of Engineering Aid Australia (EAA) in 1996, Australia had an estimated 14 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engineers.
Each year EAA holds two Indigenous Australian Engineering Schools (IAES): one in Sydney currently hosted by the University of Sydney and the other in Perth, currently hosted by Curtin University. The IAES provide opportunities for high school students to visit the universities to learn more about engineering.
Since its inception, over 600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have attended an IAES and more than 95% of these students have completed Year 12 with the help of EAA Continuing School Scholarships. Of the 40 students who participate each year in the IAES program, 25% (on average) go on to an Engineering degree. This pipeline of students has substantially increased the total number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engineers in Australia over the last 20 years.
Over the last seven years, Arcadis has partnered with EAA to support the organisation in contributing to increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who study engineering.
Career Trackers
Arcadis recognises the importance of collaborating and partnering with organisations to provide employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In 2018, we established a relationship with Career Trackers – a non-profit organisation that support pre-professional Indigenous university students and links them with corporate organisations to participate in paid, multi-year internships.
Now in its fourth year, through this Partnership, Arcadis has provided nine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students the opportunity to gain professional practice that relates to their field of study, build industry relationships and genuinely contribute to projects that improve quality of life. We are proud of our relationship with Career Trackers and of the students who have chosen to start their careers with Arcadis. We look forward to developing this relationship further, welcoming more students into all areas of our business and providing long term career opportunities for those who will be finishing their university degrees in the coming years.