August 23, 2010
A Queensland business providing jobs for indigenous people in mining and civil construction has won the Sensis Social Responsibility Award at the National Telstra Business Awards.
Northern Project Contracting (NPC), a wholly indigenous-owned company operating out of Capalaba in Brisbane and Garbutt in Townsville, specialises in contracting and training services for the mining and civil construction sectors.
Established in 2004 as a joint venture between the Waanyi Nation Aboriginal Corporation and an experienced mining contractor, NPC has grown rapidly since buying out its partner in 2008, expanding into northern, southern and western Queensland.
‘MODEL’ BUSINESS
Telstra Business Group Managing Director and Telstra Business Awards Ambassador, Deena Shiff, says the organisation is a model for Indigenous employment, training and community engagement.
“NPC is a shining example of how the mining industry can work with Indigenous communities and is a model that can be replicated Australia-wide,” Shiff says.
“Judges were impressed with its focus on commercial viability, commitment to sustainability and dedication to giving back to the community,” she says.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
NPC has built its Mobile Mining and Civil School to train indigenous people in plant operation and construction roles to meet continuing labour and skills shortages.
Director Derek Flucker, (pictured middle) says the company’s staff retention rate is double the industry average for Indigenous workers.
He says such a result is testament to its understanding of indigenous culture, community and labour needs, while remaining commercially viable.
“The project has given young people educational, boarding and work opportunities, laying solid foundations for future self-reliance. Ensuring our business contributes to the community is at the heart of everything we do.”
NPC employs more than 100 people - 80 percent of them indigenous - and enables local communities to generating wealth on traditional lands.
“Winning the Sensis Social Responsibility Award is an honour for NPC and will help create a sustainable economic future for Indigenous people to better their own lives by becoming business owners,” Flucker adds.
Queensland Telstra Business of the Year winner and Q400 member Abacus ALS also attended the prestigious ceremony in Sydney on Friday (August 20) night.
* Pictured left to right: Sensis Chief Operations Officer Gerry Sutton, Northern Project Contracting Director Derek Flucker, Northern Project Contracting Chairman of the Board Kevin Cairns.