Hotels group, consulting company aim to boost Indigenous employment

Accor is the world's largest hotel operator and leading hotel employer in Australia. The company has been established in Australia for over 20 years, has a network of over 160 hotels and employs 7,000 people. Since 2001, Accor has employed over 700 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

According to managing director for The Jumbana Group, Ros Moriarty, Accor is leading the way in a space where Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) can be token gestures.

"Accor has been in the RAP space for more than a decade and has undertaken initiatives like nation-wide Indigenous issues workshops for management teams," Moriarty said.

"This latest Indigenous Strategic Review focuses on mentoring and other forms of pastoral care in order to provide highly necessary personalised support to Indigenous recruits, with a view to creating the first Indigenous Hotel General Manager in the group."

Accor developed its Reconciliation Action Plan in 2011 but has been active in supporting Indigenous initiatives for over 10 years. Its RAP comprises of actions and measures by which the company can fulfil its reconciliation commitments based on Relationship, Respect and Opportunities.

Accor's RAP is focused on closing the employment gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Australians. The company provides training and leadership development by partnering with Indigenous businesses, such as The Jumbana Group, increasing knowledge about Indigenous culture through community involvement and providing opportunities through education and scholarships.

John McDonnell, general manager HR Asia Pacific at Accor, said the company strives to be a supportive employer, committed to promoting diversity and helping staff to progress and reach their full potential through various training and educational programs.

"We've had a very successful partnership with The Jumbana Group which started in 2012 when they helped us to conduct cultural competency training with Accor's management teams. Our partnership with Jumbana is now centred on moving forward from a focus on recruitment, to better addressing engagement and retention, supporting Accor's position as an industry leader in the reconciliation space," said McDonnell.

Accor's vision for reconciliation covers three key areas: Continue to build respect for Indigenous Australians through cultural awareness and activities that build a shared pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture; consolidate existing relationships while building new relationships that support Indigenous employment and engagement; and identify further opportunities to engage and retain Indigenous employees through training and career development.