As Australians this week gather to celebrate and acknowledge Reconciliation Week (27 May - 3 June), VERTO has today launched its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), committing to further improve outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
Endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, VERTO's RAP aims to drive Indigenous employment and promote culturally-inclusive behaviours among all VERTO employees.
Reconciliation Australia Chief Executive Officer, Karen Mundine, said, "Reconciliation Australia is delighted to welcome VERTO to the Reconciliation Action Plan program by formally endorsing its inaugural Innovate RAP. This RAP provides VERTO with the key steps to establish its own unique approach to reconciliation.
“Through implementing a RAP, VERTO will develop its approach to driving reconciliation through its business activities, services and programs and develop mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders."
VERTO provides services to more than 1,500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through its frontline programs each year. Two of its services, The New Careers for Aboriginal People Program and The Aboriginal Youth Leadership Program, are offered exclusively to Aboriginal people in Wiradjuri Country and have been running since 2003 and 2015, respectively.
VERTO's Chief Executive Officer, Ron Maxwell, said, "VERTO is committed to providing better opportunities for Indigenous Australians, and is focused on our RAP becoming a core component of our organisational culture.
"VERTO's RAP quantifies and drives indigenous employment targets and promotes culturally-inclusive behaviours amongst all VERTO team members," Mr. Maxwell added.
"VERTO has a proud history of assisting Indigenous Australians to gain the skills necessary to find work and the right employment opportunities through our various programs.
"We have set ourselves ambitious targets for our apprenticeship, employment and training services, to maximise positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and we look forward to making further progress on our reconciliation journey.”
VERTO's Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan is available here.
