NAB has today released the first of its annual report cards against its 2015 to 2017 Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
With more than 200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees now employed across the Bank, significant progress toward greater cultural awareness and the renewal of significant commitments to ongoing work with leading Indigenous organisations, the independently assured NAB Elevate RAP 2015 Results Report Card demonstrates NAB’s progress towards the reconciliation goals set out in its first three-year RAP – released in 2015.
Highlights for the year include:
- More than 200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees
- 68 trainees recruited
- More than 5100 fair and affordable microfinance products provided to Indigenous customers
- 1484 employees completing cultural awareness training
- Commitments with both Jawun and Supply Nation renewed for three years.
Commenting on the results of NAB’s eighth RAP, its third to be conferred the coveted Reconciliation Australia “Elevate” status, NAB Group Executive Governance and Reputation Michaela Healey said “We are firmly committed to the success of our Indigenous customers, employees and communities. Our approach is to invest in Indigenous communities, in Indigenous talent and in Indigenous business and by doing so also invest in the future of our business.”
“I’m pleased to see that our long-term approach, focused on unlocking Indigenous talent and helping Indigenous businesses to grow, and underpinned by partnerships with Indigenous community organisations is working,” Ms Healey said.
NAB’s RAP results for 2015 focus on the key areas of Indigenous careers, financial inclusion, business partnerships and cultural awareness and leadership. With significant milestones achieved in each of these core areas.
“Central to NAB’s approach to Reconciliation is its focus on unlocking opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander people to achieve leadership positions and better supporting career progression of Indigenous Australians – to create the next generation of leaders. During 2015, 13 Indigenous employees participated in the Bank’s emerging leaders program, demonstrating NAB’s firm commitment to the development of Indigenous talent.
“Whilst we are proud of what we have achieved so far, there is more to do. We look forward to working together with our various partners and stakeholders in the year ahead to make further progress towards the achievement of the goals set out in our current RAP,” Ms Healey said.
Listen to a discussion between NAB’s Group Executive for Governance and Reputation Michaela Healey and NAB Indigenous Advisory Group Co-chair Dr Chris Sarra about NAB’s reconciliation journey and the vision for reconciliation into the future.
Could a solution to closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians be as simple as altering our mindsets? Anthony Lew-Fatt, our first Indigenous trainee, talks about paving the way for more equality throughout Australia.
(Video produced by Guardian Labs Australia)
