The Indigenous Defence Consortium (IDC) has signed a strategic relationship agreement with leading engineering professional services consulting firm WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff.
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This strategic relationship aims to increase engagement opportunities in procurement, learning, recruitment and communication, among other avenues.
IDC has a proven capability in a range of direct and indirect procurement services to support large defence and infrastructure projects. A participant in the ongoing submarine and surface shipbuilding program, IDC provides real long-term capability building and jobs to Indigenous Australians including training and education to Indigenous youth via internship programs.
IDC CEO Adam Goodes said, "IDC represents and supports a wide-ranging group of Australian Indigenous businesses.
"We aim to help our clients acquire a diverse supply chain as well as meet business and policy requirements in terms of engagement with the Indigenous business sector.
"IDC is excited about partnering with WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff to find long-term opportunities and contracts for
Indigenous business that will help build sustainable capabilities and showcase the ability of the Indigenous business
sector."
WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff managing director, property, environment and resources and vice president, development ANZ Andrew Mather said the agreement paves the way for not just first but ‘second-tier procurement’ where possible.
"This means we will also encourage our own suppliers to partner with Indigenous businesses in the course of their service delivery.
"As part of our ongoing commitment to reconciliation, we are focused on realising opportunities to increase supplier diversity by working with more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses," Mather said.