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Helping societies thrive sustainably

We know our solutions will shape the communities of tomorrow. In nurturing sustainable societies, we strive to contribute positively to the places where we work.

Our Approach

As a global company, we are actively participating in the development of local communities and recognising the collective rights of these communities. Through our projects, our employees’ commitments, and our corporate activities, we strive to contribute positively to the places where we live and operate.

Our teams bring global expertise to their local communities, dare to challenge the status quo, collaborate with and learn from others, and are empowered to turn challenges into opportunities. We are proud to take steps to champion and promote positive change for Indigenous Peoples and for a more inclusive society - one that delivers positive social impacts.

In Australia, WSP works to create equitable, inclusive, and sustainable societies. We are in a privileged position to effect significant place-based change through the delivery of large-scale infrastructure and built environment projects.

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of this land and the places on which we live and work. Every project WSP works on takes place on First Nations land. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the first scientists and engineers and we strive to connect the work that we do today to the enduring culture and history of our indigenous peoples and their connection to country.  

Since 2010, we have had a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in place which supports a range of initiatives including existing pre-employment initiatives such as the Indigenous Australian Engineering Summer Schools and the Smith Family. We create educational opportunities and career pathways, which enable us to create strong and culturally respectful relationships. One of our key achievements is the establishment of the Science and Infrastructure Development (SID) School in partnership with the Queensland University of Technology Oodgeroo Unit (QUT) which focuses on closing the gap in education outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

After more than a decade of continuous work on our reconciliation approach to increasing participation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, our RAP was formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia in late 2021.

Our Vision

Our vision for reconciliation is to create sustainable, vibrant, and connected places for all Australians where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are empowered to thrive in the natural and built environment. It is underpinned by the following four pillars:

  1. Relationships - we will develop relationships and collaborate closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in communities, organisations, and supplier businesses.

  2. Respect - we will build our understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and their ongoing spiritual relationship with their Country and connection to community, land, sea and sky.

  3. Opportunities - we will create opportunities to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our business and industry – education, jobs, supply chain, partners, stakeholders, and project design.

  4. Focus - we will identify, develop, refine, and implement RAP initiatives aligned to our ANZ Strategic Plan for business growth, particularly across ESG parameters. 

In July 2019, we took a step towards reconciliation. We joined our clients, industry colleagues, and fellow Australians in recognising the importance of the Uluru Statement from the Heart to Australia’s First Nations people during NAIDOC week. 

WSP works hard to involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in infrastructure projects and to stimulate growth for Indigenous businesses and communities. Our long-term involvement on the Pacific Complete joint venture working with Transport for NSW and Laing O’Rourke on the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway Upgrade, is one example we’re very proud of. Pacific Complete and Transport for New South Wales committed to hiring local Indigenous leaders in meaningful roles. We achieved higher-than-promised employment rates, high community engagement and a selection of local Indigenous businesses became suppliers.

 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

In 2023, WSP continues to stand side by side with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We reiterate our strong support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and for its call to enshrine in the Australian Constitution a Voice to Parliament through referendum. 

We believe everyone is entitled to form their own view on the referendum question which will be put to the Australian public in late 2023, and we respect each citizen’s vote. 

WSP will keep listening to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and we commit to continuing our journey of reconciliation regardless of the outcome of the referendum.

 

Inclusion and Diversity

 Our work in gender equality continues to garner momentum and recognition in the industry. Our unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse industry has led to a consecutive citation by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) recognising WSP as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) for 2021 - 23.

Our #Changemaker program continues to elevate the gender balance discussion in industry. Our frequent profiling campaign demonstrates the changes taking place towards equality at WSP at the leadership level. It also showcases a shared ambition to create a better future by embracing challenges and inspiring new ways of thinking that impact the world around us.

Additional community-based initiatives include:

  • In 2022, we were proud to receive a consecutive citation by the WGEA recognising WSP as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality for 2021-23.

  • In 2020, we became a Mentor Company with the Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN), a purpose-led, not-for-profit organisation that brings businesses and schools together to address educational disadvantage. Since then, we have run workplace-based mentoring programs with school-aged children from disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2023, we will run in excess of 50 programs nationally. 

  • In 2019, we established the WSP VIBE Group to enable our LGBTQI+ community to reach their full potential. Offices around the country hosted a range of events for IDAHOBIT Day. In 2019, WSP became the first engineering company to partner with Out for Australia. In 2022, we sponsored a coffee cart at the 2022 Pride in Practice Conference at Marvel Stadium, in Melbourne.

  • For many years now, WSP has supported Movember, a charitable initiative designed to change the face of men’s health. In 2022, we raised a staggering $11,862, our biggest national fundraising target.

  • Since 2018, we have held a mapathon event as part of WSP’s participation in the Missing Maps initiative, a humanitarian project involving organisations helping to map out parts of the world that are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, conflicts and epidemics.

  • Inspired by shaping the future of less fortunate communities and making a social impact, we have participated in a number of Helping Hands program since 2018 - a corporate team development activity that involves building prosthetic hands for amputee landmine victims in developing countries.

  • WSP is committed to building an inclusive culture that respects and maximises everyone’s contribution. For this reason, we recently launched our new Gender Affirmation Policy, which aims to create and maintain a safe, non-discriminatory, productive work environment for all our people. 

To stay abreast of our latest information, publications, videos and posts, please subscribe to our news, follow us on LinkedIn or visit wsp.com/au

 

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