We are proud to announce that Ron Jones, UGL Aboriginal Engagement Manager, and Byron Matheson, UGL Apprentice Mechanical Fitter, both won awards at the Infrastructure and Construction Forum 2022 event held in Hunter Valley this week!
Ron was nominated by NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce CEO Deb Barwick for Outstanding Individual Contribution to Indigenous Advocacy, recognising his outstanding effort within this space.
"I am honoured to be recognised by industry around all the good things myself and UGL are achieving in the Aboriginal engagement space." - Ron Jones
Ron has been instrumental in driving UGL’s engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, businesses and communities and has been the driving force behind many of our initiatives, including:
- establishing networking groups to provide support and connection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees in UGL
- facilitating cultural awareness training in a face-to-face style to over 400 senior leaders within UGL in 2022
- developing and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Guide at UGL – which includes education, how to engage Aboriginal businesses and the approach to recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- developing our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) launched earlier this year where we have several exciting initiatives and targets for the next few years.
Byron is currently undertaking a Mechanical Fitting apprenticeship at Eraring Power Station and was awarded the Indigenous Apprentice of the Year having been nominated by his site supervisor, Scott Brooke.
“As an apprentice, Byron has proven to be one of our most outstanding employees at Eraring PS and throughout the business unit. Byron is a great team player and takes responsibility where he sees the need and has the confidence to offer up solutions as to provide a safer and more efficient process and working environment.” - Scott Brooke
Brandon Houghton, UGL Electrical apprentice in our Transport Division was also a finalist in the Indigenous Apprentice of the Year category.
Congratulations Ron, Byron and Brandon!
The Reconciliation journey at UGL continues to grow towards not only meeting the targets that have been set in our Stretch RAP but creating a culture of awareness, inclusion and engagement with Aboriginal people, businesses and communities.