CPB Contractors, a member of CIMIC Group, has spent a company record of $92 million with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses in the 2021-22 financial year.
The record spend comes as part of CPB Contractors’ commitment to ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people share in the opportunities that the company’s work and projects provide.
In the 2021-22 financial year, CPB Contractors procured a total of $92 million worth of goods and services from more than 150 accredited Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. This is an increase of around 60 per cent on CPB’s spend of $58 million in 2020-21.
Sharon Gray, CPB Contractors Group Manager Indigenous and Social Inclusion, said CPB is committed to maximising the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across their construction projects.
“CPB is building infrastructure right across Australia and it is our responsibility to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people benefit from the employment and business opportunities that our projects generate,” said Gray.
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Deb Barwick, Chief Executive Officer, NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce said the likes of CPB Contractors working with Indigenous businesses and people provides real opportunities in the supply chain that flow directly through to Indigenous communities.
“The work CPB is doing to provide contracting opportunities creates a positive role-modelling environment,” Barwick added. “It demonstrates to young people that there are opportunities and options for them.”
Rohan Tobler-Williams, General Manager, ARA Indigenous Services said working with CPB has helped their organisation be viewed as having the capacity to engage with the big players in the industry. “CPB helped us develop and demonstrate our capacity,” said Tobler-Williams.
“We deliver all ARA services. We ensure meaningful Indigenous engagement on all of our projects.”
More than 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses are listed in CPB Contractors’ Aboriginal Business & Social Enterprise (ABSE) database, making it simple to find, engage and employ those best suited to the opportunities available on CPB Contractors’ major construction projects. These suppliers are also registered with CPB’s prequalification system so there are no delays.
According to Ryan Kirgan, CPB Contractors Group Manager Procurement, the database has been integral to the company’s successful engagement with Indigenous businesses. “These systems allow this information to be readily available to everyone in the company who needs it,” he said.
“CPB has been able to create a solution that aligns trade packages from the building, civil and mining sectors against the capabilities of the businesses and enterprises sourced through the ABSE database.
“Procurement staff can search exclusively by trade packages, streamlining the process and making it easier and faster to connect with the right Indigenous business.”