Today, 26 May is National Sorry Day. On this day, we remember and commemorate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were mistreated and forcibly removed from their families, communities and cultures under government policies during the Assimilation era (officially 1910-70). Those children became known as the Stolen Generation.
We at Agile Group, are an Indigenous owned business, and recognise this important date. We are working on building an environment that helps Indigenous communities heal, reconcile and grow. As well as building a cognizant working environment for everyone in our business regardless of their ethnicity.
How is Agile Group Improving Indigenous Engagement Within Our Business?
We are committed to this providing cultural education within our workforce - building a culturally respectful and cognizant environment. We are also improving the lives of Aboriginal and disadvantaged people and businesses through employment and education opportunities, and community initiatives.
To help us achieve our goals, we created our Indigenous Re-skilling, Engagement and Networking Initiative (IRENI). This establishes a recruitment framework where Agile Group can establish pathways to sustainable long-term employment (via traineeships) for indigenous candidates.Within this framework we have committed to a 30% employment and procurement target prior to the end of the 21/22 financial year, and well on our way to achieving this.
Additionally, Agile Group promotes and facilitates a harmonious work/life balance for our designated workgroups through flexible working hours, fixed/rotating rosters, and schedules created with significant staff consultation. Meaning an environment that works with diverse cultures, and therefore improved staff retention.
How Agile Group Is Improving Indigenous Community Engagement
We are an active member of both Kinaway and Supply Nation. Both organisations aim to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians, Supply Nation nationally, and Kinaway in Victoria.
We also donate just shy of $1m each year to the Ice Factor Foundation. This is a not for profit that aims to re-engage Indigenous and disadvantaged youths into education and career paths, through ice hockey, and other ice sports. It’s very rewarding to see so many success stories come from the Ice Factor Foundation, including some attendees progressing to be signed for the AFL and NHSL. We also hire many of the graduates of the program within various sectors of Agile Group.
“We’re pleased to see the lives Indigenous people are improving - 93% of Indigenous children are enrolled in early childhood education - an increase from 77% in 2016. We’re pleased that Agile Group play an active part of the movement that is bettering lives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
“We’re pleased to see the lives Indigenous people are improving - 93% of Indigenous children are enrolled in early childhood education - an increase from 77% in 2016. We’re pleased that Agile Group play an active part of the movement that is bettering lives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
Michael Boyle, MD/ CEO of Agile Group, and a proud Japanangka and Tjampijtinpa man
Further Learning
Here’s some useful links if you’d like to learn more about the intergenerational trauma of The Stolen Generations, the Indigenous Community, and how your business can develop Reconciliation plans.
If you’d like to learn more about Agile Group, or how we could help your business, feel free to reach out to us below, or follow our social channels.
