Australasia's largest general insurance broker network, Steadfast, has elevated its support for First Nations employment after partnering with Indigenous charity organisation Bandu.
The collaboration aims to help more First Nations youth find careers, and comes after Steadfast partnered with EM-Power Foundation last October to help Indigenous people launch careers and business opportunities in the agriculture and food industries.
Founded by Edward Morgan and Wiradjuri man Aidan Porter, Bandu (the Wiradjuri word for 'fly'), provides support and resources to young Indigenous people who want to pursue tertiary studies and a career post high school.
The charity helps fund accommodation and short-term living expenses for students, as well provide wellbeing and mental health support for participants navigating life after HSC.
Its partnership with Steadfast will incorporate cultural safety sessions for its hundreds of staff across Australia and guidance and advice to Steadfast's Reconciliation Action Plan committee, while the insurance broke will aim to have a Bandu participant in the business.
Steadfast managing director and chief executive Robert B. Kelly said the partnership with Bandu aligned with the 'innovate' phase of its RAP, which is focused on building relationships and finding new ways to have a lasting impact on the wellbeing of First Nations people.
"It's been heartening to see and hear the ways Bandu embarks on the journey alongside their participants during one of the most challenging and exciting life stages," Mr Kelly said.
"The team cares about empowering young First Nations people every step of the way, and this is an ethos we're delighted to support.
"We look forward to joining Bandu's journey and working closely with their team and participants over the next year."
In 2019, Steadfast - an ASX200 company with a market capitalisation of more than $3 billion - acquired a 26 per cent stake in Origin Insurance, a business founded, run and majority-Aboriginal owned, which sparked its reconciliation journey.
Bandu managing director Edward Morgan said he was encouraged by corporate organisations like Steadfast who pursued reconciliation in authentic ways, with their hearts in the right place.
"It is exciting to be able to offer our young participants the opportunity to join a professional workplace that is also a culturally safe and caring community," he said.
Steadfast's Reconciliation Action Plan is focused on finding new ways to positively impact the wellbeing of First Nations communities and build long-term relationships with Indigenous stakeholders and organisations, while deepening its staffs' understanding of First Nations culture, people, and history.
In the past year it has become a Supply Nation member to increase its supplier diversity and also offers staff immersive learning opportunities while continually exploring various employment opportunities for First Nations people.
