Ventia’s award winning programs supporting diversity, inclusion and mental health

Ventia is proud of its diverse workforce and passionate about providing opportunities for people with an array of backgrounds, and in building an inclusive and mentally health workplace.

Improving Indigenous and female participation across their business and increasing participation for people with disability, ensuring an inclusive culture that has access to support for both physical and mental health is a huge focus for them.

Ventia were recently included in two categories for the 2021 Australian HR Institute (AHRI) Awards, in the Graeme Innes Disability Employment Award and the Allan Fels Mental Healthy Award category.

Building a strong disability employment program

One of their largest contracts in Australia was selected as finalist in the Graeme Innes Disability Employment Award category for their achievements in building a strong disability employment program.

The team on the NSW Whole of Government Facilities Management Services contract manages over 1,000 sites and recognise that the challenges of finding the right people to fill roles isn’t helped by ignoring a largely untapped pool of capable and committed people.

This contract employs 136 people with disability, with the numbers having grown by almost 400% in 12 months thanks to a focused effort by the contract team in building diversity in their workforce.

Group Executive Defence and Social Infrastructure Derek Osborn said that the team have done amazing things with the employment of people with a disability. “I am so very proud of the work they do and how they go about it. They’ve achieved this by recognising that if you go about things the same old way, you’ll get the same old results” says Derek.

Supporting employees through their Healthy Minds program

Additionally, their mental health program, Healthy Minds, was a finalist in the Allan Fels Mental Healthy Award category.

With mental health a significant issue within every workplace, this program is helping Ventia deliver on their commitment to raise awareness, reduce stigma and support those with mental health conditions across the business.

Through the program, they have built a network of over 120 volunteers who are passionate about helping others who are struggling with their mental health. The Healthy Minds Champions will listen without judgement and if required help employees seek further assistance.

Group Executive Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Christian Frost said he was delighted and extremely proud of the award. Given the calibre of the organisations that were finalists in this category, it’s a great achievement for Ventia.

“The results of this program have exceeded our expectations so far. But what I am most proud of is the 120 Healthy Minds Champions that were specially selected and trained that we have in place. These caring and empathetic people are providing the support that our people need” Christian says.

Incredible initiatives introduced by our featured employer Ventia. You can view their current flexible and family friendly roles here