Sustainability

Ability in Action

• Abigroup teams up with Red Dust Role Models to help disadvantaged indigenous youth

  Abigroup has joined forces with health promotion charity Red Dust Role Models to help improve the health and wellbeing of disadvantaged youth in remote indigenous communities.

  At a ceremony held at Abigroup’s Melbourne office today, Abigroup’s Managing Director David Jurd signed a partnership agreement with Red Dust’s Managing Director John Van Groningen, formalising Abigroup’s $100,000 contribution to Red Dust’s Lifestyle Education Program.

  Red Dust’s Lifestyle Education Program involves visits by high profile sports and music figures and other positive role models to remote indigenous communities across the Northern Territory.

  The role models, who are all volunteers, spend a minimum of four days in indigenous schools and health clinics, building relationships and facilitating mentorship with disadvantaged youth, while conveying important health and education messages.

  Abigroup Managing Director David Jurd said, “At Abigroup we believe in making a difference in our community. 

  “That’s why, as part of our sustainability program Ability, we’re supporting the good work being done by Red Dust Role Models in helping the development of disadvantaged indigenous youth through the Lifestyle Education Program.”

  Red Dust’s Managing Director John Van Groningen said, “Red Dust is excited about our newly established partnership with Abigroup.

  “This is a significant partnership as Red Dust and Abigroup have a strong value alignment around improving the health and education of indigenous youth living in remote communities.

  “Red Dust's mission of enriching the lives of indigenous youth and the objective of Abigroup’s national sustainability program are amazingly complementary.”

  Today’s ceremony was attended by Red Dust’s International Ambassador, former Australian test cricket captain Allan Border and Australian Sports Ambassador, former Western Bulldog’s AFL star Luke Darcy.

  Allan Border said, “I am committed to Red Dust because I can see the positive influence they have on the health and wellbeing of indigenous youth in remote, disadvantaged communities.

  “Abigroup's support of Red Dust will help us develop our resources, expand our health promotion program and engender positive changes among indigenous youth in Australia and also overseas.”

  Abigroup’s support for Red Dust forms part of the company’s sustainability program - Ability. As part of this program, Abigroup plays an active role in the community through corporate giving activities.   

• Abigroup joins forces with beyondblue to tackle depression in the construction industry

  Abigroup has joined forces with leading depression awareness organisation beyondblue to launch a major initiative to raise awareness of depression in the construction industry.

  At a ceremony in Abigroup’s Melbourne office today (Tuesday) Abigroup’s Managing Director David Jurd and beyondblue Chairman Jeff Kennett signed an agreement to work together to tackle the problem.

  As a first step the company is contributing $100,000 to the partnership and development of an educational DVD about depression in the construction industry.

  Abigroup Managing Director David Jurd said, “Construction work can be tough on workers - the hours are long and sites are often remote from home, making the link with family difficult.

  “Construction is still a male dominated industry and studies show that men are at a greater risk of their depression going unrecognised and untreated than women: with less than half of those experiencing depression seeking help.

  “That’s why Abigroup is supporting this important initiative. By raising awareness of the problem of depression in the construction industry we’re aiming to get more workers to seek help early on and avoid getting trapped in a downward spiral.”

  beyondblue CEO Leonie Young added, “We know that depression affects around one million Australians every year. People often struggle to acknowledge the problem and try to deal with it alone. Depression is an illness and not a weakness. Effective treatments are available and most people recover.  

  “We hope this partnership will encourage people working in the construction industry to notice the signs and symptoms of depression in themselves, their mates and loved ones and encourage them to get help sooner rather than later.”

  The DVD will be produced over the winter months and launched in October with screenings at Abigroup construction sites throughout Australia.

  Information on depression in the workplace and promotional material on available services will also be circulated throughout the construction industry and in November Abigroup will organise a “Blue Day” education and awareness campaign to coincide with company Movember activities.

  Abigroup’s support for beyondblue forms part of the company’s sustainability program – Ability. As part of this program Abigroup plays an active role in the community through corporate giving activities.    

• Low cost & friendly waste re-used at Kooragang Coal Export Terminal

  The project has received the green light to apply compost from the local Bedminster facility to its hydromulch mix to assist with site revegetation. Bedminster's compost is made from the organic portion of Port Stephen's general domestic waste. The compost by-product is low cost, high in nutrients and is known to improve soil structure. The use of this material effectively re-uses a waste product and removes the need for use of lime and fertilisers.

• Abigroup commits to training with new Truganina facility

  As a Registered Training Organisation, Abigroup is committed to increasing skills-based training and in 2008 opened its Learning & Operations Facility in Truganina, Victoria.

  The Truganina Learning & Operations Facility is unique in that it offers employees the ability to undertake formal training - in areas from civil construction to mining - and combine it with practical experience all in the one place.

  The proactive initiative by Abigroup, which is a Registered Training Organisation, is also a direct way of avoiding the crippling skills shortage that only recently seriously affected the Australian construction industry.

  “I congratulate Abigroup on this investment in training,” said Victorian Premier John Brumby at the opening of the facility. “What Abigroup is doing here with its training and operations facility is a great example of leadership for the construction industry right across Australia.”

  The Abigroup Learning & Operations Facility aims to train upwards of 1000 people in its first year of operation. Currently 35-45 employees are undertaking training each week, with plans to expand the Registered Training Organisation courses around Australia.

• Get in STEP - Abigroup's new indigenous program

  Abigroup has been granted funding from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to implement a national, Structured Training Employment Project (STEP).

  STEP is an element of the Federal Government’s Indigenous Employment Policy aimed at generating more jobs for Indigenous Australians, particularly in the private sector.

  The project sets Abigroup a target to employ and train twenty indigenous employees, either directly, through alliance partners or subcontractors by the end of 2009.

  In addition to the employment opportunities, Abigroup will develop and implement a mentoring program for the participants as well as a cultural awareness program for the broader Abigroup team.

• Supporting our next generation of construction professionals

  Abigroup is committed to supporting and encouraging young people who have embarked on a career in the construction industry. Below are just some of the programs on offer to current students or recent graduates.

  Young Professionals Development Program

  The Abigroup Young Professionals Development Program supports graduates from relevant engineering disciplines and building cadets during the early stages of their employment with Abigroup.

  The program comprises the Abigroup mentoring program, the graduate development program through Engineers Australia and professional development and training opportunities coordinated through Abigroup’s learning and development team.
  

  Mentoring Program

  The mentoring program supports the transition and development of graduates through a structured program and involves senior employees of Abigroup in a mutually beneficial partnership.

  Abigroup assigns the graduates a mentor at the beginning of their employment and creates a relationship that can span beyond the program if both parties wish to continue.

  The mentoring program allows graduates to gain development and guidance both professionally and personally.
  

  Graduate Development Program

  Abigroup offers a three-year graduate development program for people that have completed a degree in engineering, quality, safety or environment.

  The program length is flexible depending on how graduates progress through each stage. Students must complete a career episode report in each module and move to a different division after three months to broaden their knowledge and experience. Abigroup also hosts an annual graduate forum where graduates can meet for a day and discuss a chosen topic.
  

  Building Cadetships

  Building cadets can apply for an Abigroup sponsorship, which pays for textbooks and university fees, provides additional training while studying, offers paid work experience and flexible working hours to accommodate their timetable.
  

  University of Newcastle Industry Sponsorship Scheme (UNISS), NSW

  The UNISS scholarship combines degree studies with industry experience and takes five years to complete.

  Budding students selected for the scholarship with Abigroup are completing various engineering degrees including Civil and Environmental Engineering and Surveying.

  In 2009 Abigroup had 14 students start the UNISS program – four studying civil engineering, five studying environmental engineering and five studying surveying.
  

  Undergraduate students offered paid work experience in QLD

  Abigroup’s Northern Region offers 60 work experience placements during university holidays – where students get paid to work for the company. Depending on project availability and student ability, there is potential for the students to continue employment throughout the university semesters.

  Abigroup also offers undergraduate students the opportunity to move into a graduate development program once they have completed their degree. This offers flexible working hours to work around study and exam time and offers students experience in a variety of areas as they are rotated through the program.
  

  Bursary Program, QLD

  Undergraduates studying civil engineering also have the opportunity to take part in the Bursary Program which is run in conjunction with Queensland University of Technology. The program offers a $5000 bursary for a successful third-year civil engineering student.
  

  Western Region’s undergraduate program

  Abigroup’s Western Region has two students participating in the undergraduate program, which offers paid work experience one day a week during the semester.

  The student development program in Western Australia exposes students to tendering, budgets, project plans, cost controls and administration in project and corporate areas.

  The program offers students site experience during their holidays, where they have the opportunity to develop the practical skills required to be an efficient and productive engineer.

• Scheme encourages innovation and charity to boot at Abigroup

  In 2008 Abigroup introduced The Golden Boot Innovation Award in NSW to recognise innovation in workplace safety, environment management and quality management by its project teams.

  The Award is highly contested throughout the state and its success has led to plans to the scheme being adopted nationally within other business units.

  In addition to encouraging and rewarding innovation, the Award wins the project a $1000 donation to a pre-determined charity, which in 2009 is the Cancer Council of NSW.

  The Council, as part of its ‘Sun Smart’ initiative, promotes awareness of the dangers and effects of skin cancer and the need for working safely in the sun. Abigroup, through its Project and Worksites PPE Code, also recognises the need for the adoption of sun-protective work clothing and other forms of protection when spending time working outdoors.

• Employee health a high priority for Abigroup

  Yoga for well-being

  As part of its Ability program, Abigroup’s Sydney head office holds yoga classes for employees once a week.

  Each program runs for eight weeks and promotes employee health and well-being by helping them to managing stress, build strength and flexibility, increase energy and stamina, improve concentration, calm the mind and relax the body.

  The program is provided through highly experienced and qualified instructors who provide individual attention to all participants.

  Fitness Focus

  Abigroup is also safeguarding the health of its employees by providing fitness training sessions every week from its Sydney head office. Each session incorporates cardio and resistance training to challenge every fitness level from beginner to advanced. Led by qualified personal trainers, the sessions have proven extremely popular with the Abigroup workforce.

• Software solution supports Abigroup's sustainability strategy

  Abigroup has implemented Ndevr’s Greenhouse Emissions Reporting Solution to effectively capture emissions data while also fulfilling legislative requirements. Already streamlining internal processes, the system is proving a valuable tool in the company’s sustainability efforts.

  “The concept of sustainability is a powerful driver influencing the direction of Australia’s infrastructure industry. With increasing concern for the environment and global warming, Abigroup is responding by integrating the principles of sustainability into the planning and delivery of our projects,” said Sarah Marshall, National Environment and Sustainability Manager, Abigroup Limited. “An ongoing challenge Abigroup faces is to accurately measure our carbon footprint across our diverse range of businesses and projects. In conjunction with Ndevr we have adopted a smarter system for data collection and analysis which will allow us to monitor performance and implement strategies that avoid impacts and maximise opportunities.”

  The Ndevr Greenhouse Emissions Reporting Solution is a fully integrated module within Abigroup’s existing JD Edwards EnterpriseOne software, enabling the company to track its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions through its financial/ERP systems.

  “The solution is unique as it enables us to capture data from multiple sites and projects to generate one seamless report and, because the data tracking is all done from our financial invoices, it makes it very simple to capture emissions that were previously very difficult to measure,” commented Marshall.

  Prior to implementing the solution Abigroup attempted to capture and measure emissions using excel spreadsheets.

  “Not only was this difficult and time consuming, but also really inaccurate and unreliable. Because our GHG emission reporting is now incorporated into our financial reporting systems, and based around accounts payable data entry, we now have complete confidence that the data is an accurate measurement of energy consumption”, she continued. “Ndevr’s Greenhouse Emissions Reporting Solution provides a solid foundation for not only meeting Abigroup’s internal and external reporting requirements but also has the ability to feed into our clients’ own energy and emissions reporting obligations.”

  Choosing and implementing the solution involved three different Abigroup business groups: environment, information systems and finance.

  “The new NGER dashboard tool presents data in tables and forms that are designed to capture the basic information as it is presented by a standard accounts payable invoice (e.g. gas, electricity, or waste). This data is then transformed by backend calculations into a volume of CO2 emissions, which can be broken into business units, or by item (e.g. electricity versus water). The data is stored and auditable, and as it is part of the financial system, it is totally secure – with rights and access management and backed up nightly,” said Alison Woodward, Group Manager, Information Systems, Abigroup Limited.

  “The most positive part of the project and the biggest unforeseen benefit is the reaction we have received from the staff. Initially, the administrators and data entry staff were concerned that this solution would mean extra work. When we explained the environmental outcomes behind the solution the staff really got on board and some staff members have begun incorporating other green initiatives within their own work groups,” said Marshall.

  “Sustainability for Abigroup is about balancing our growth and long-term business success with social and environmental responsibilities. Our preference is to embed sustainability into our everyday business to drive positive sustainability performance across the entire company,” said David Jurd, Managing Director, Abigroup Limited.