Community.
Barpa provides support to Indigenous organisations, initiatives, groups and events. We encourage good corporate citizenship.
Barpa is committed to making a positive difference for Australia’s first people. We embed this commitment in every part of our business. We take corporate responsibility seriously and are committed to taking an active role in supporting and engaging with community and business.
Creating social impact through construction
Empowering Indigenous people remains at the heart of Barpa’s mission, as we strive to provide meaningful employment opportunities, support professional development, foster culturally respectful practices, and partner with Traditional Owners to create sustainable outcomes that uplift communities and enhance Indigenous capacity, culture, and financial independence.
We are giving back by sponsoring Indigenous events, teams and groups, providing voluntary labour to Indigenous community projects through our Community 2 Day program and support employment and education through our Pathways to Construction, Djarmbi Mentoring and Scholarship programs.
Barpa integrates Indigenous businesses and local subcontractors into our supply chain wherever possible. We provide fair access to tenders and remove barriers to participation by offering mentoring, capacity-building, and support to navigate compliance requirements. Our goal is to create opportunities that not only benefit individual businesses but also contribute to the economic self-determination of Indigenous communities.
The Barpa dividends flow back to our Federation owners to develop economic opportunities, create Indigenous employment and capacity, and strengthen connection to country and culture.
Partnerships
Barpa partners with two organisations providing outcomes for Indigenous youth;
1) Clontarf Foundation that operates 136 academies within 149 schools around Australia exists to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-
esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. clontarf.org.au
2) The Stars Foundations Stars operates programs with 2500 Indigenous girls and young women across Australia providing holistic programs promoting positive education, employment and life outcomes. starsfoundation.org.au
These partnerships provide opportunities for Barpa employees to interact with Clontarf Academy and Stars program participants across the country, and in turn, provides participants with an insight into the construction industry and help inform their future career paths.
Community 2 Day
Barpa Construction Services supports and facilitates its employees to undertake volunteer work with charities and community organisations.
As a multi-disciplinary construction company, our employees’ broad range of skills can assist organisations with building maintenance and repair, small construction jobs such as playground equipment, working bees, grounds maintenance, packing, moving and more.
Pathways to Construction Program
As a company we are committed to providing opportunities to Indigenous people, suppliers and subcontractors through employment, education and contracting. Barpa implements a range of initiatives to continue to grow Indigenous employment in the Construction Industry through our Pathways to Construction Program including;
- a University scholarship program where we provide employment and assist with study costs
- working with Vocational training institutions on a work placement program
- arranging site visits and information sessions for Indigenous youth
- providing work experience for Secondary school students
- supporting Indigenous employees with mentoring and development opportunities
Sponsorships
Barpa has a sponsorship program that supports it’s staff’s interests outside of work as well as Indigenous Community and sporting groups including;
the ‘Slippery Gypseas’ Women’s Fishing team, Beenleigh Housing & Development Corporation Reconciliation Golf Day, Lockhart River Scorpions Rugby League Club, University of Queensland Indigenous University Nationals team the ‘Goorie Goannas’, Tag 20 Indigenous Rugby representative side, Fitzroy Stars Football & Netball Club, St Mary’s Women’s Football Team, Hallam FNC and the Koorie Academy empowering girls.
Developing a Traditional Owner Fire Strategy
The Federation are enabling the use of Cultural fire to bring life back to the land and connecting people to country across Victoria.
Supporting Sea Country Management
The Federation are guiding both the further development of practice for Sea Country management and the successful implementation of a program of work to realise Traditional Owner aspirations for Sea Country.
This includes two pilot Regional and Strategic Partnerships on the coast, being led by the Traditional Owner Corporations for that Country.
