Cultural ethnicity - Corporate Responsibility

Cultural ethnicity

2009 results

2008 results

Our approach

Building a culturally diverse workforce

Our business aspiration is to become a 'super regional' bank. A culturally diverse workforce helps us to understand and meet the needs of our growing customer base in new and international markets.

Our workforce represents 134 cultural backgrounds, speaks 91 languages and follows 84 religions.

Harnessing cultural diversity

We have established a Cultural Diversity Network to help us harness culturally diverse contributions and ensure our people thrive. Our New Zealand business already has a number of ethnic employee networks: Asia Pacific, Maori and Pacific Islander and Indian. In Australia, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diversity Network has been established for our people.

Given the Chance
Given the Chance, a program developed in partnership with the Brotherhood of St Laurence, gives refugees the opportunity to earn a wage, become familiar with Australian workplace culture and language, and practice and improve their communication and customer service skills. At ANZ, Given the Chance is run by our staff, all of whom are volunteers. Our people can participate by being part of the working group, hosting participants in their team or business unit or by being a mentor or buddy.

Given the Chance

Given the Chance, a program developed in partnership with the Brotherhood of St Laurence, gives refugees the opportunity to earn a wage, become familiar with Australian workplace culture and language, and practice and improve their communication and customer service skills.

At ANZ, Given the Chance is run by our staff, all of whom are volunteers. Our people can participate by being part of the working group, hosting participants in their team or business unit or by being a mentor or buddy.

2009 results

We recruited 102 indigenous trainees in 2009 as part of our indigenous employment strategy, one of the practical steps we are taking to improve the social and economic inclusion of Indigenous Australians.

Under the Given the Chance program, 26 refugees have received valuable experience to help them transition to a new working life in Australia, with 20 of these people being offered full time employment with the bank.

The future

Our 2010 Corporate Responsibility goals include a target to recruit a further 180 Indigenous trainees in our branch network. We continue to also work towards our broader indigenous employment targets as part of our Reconciliation Action Plan.

2008 results

We recruited 106 indigenous trainees in 2008 as part of our indigenous employment strategy, one of the practical steps we are taking to improve the social and economic inclusion of Indigenous Australians.

Thirteen refugees participated in the Given the Chance traineeship program, with eleven offered full-time employment with the bank.

The future

Our 2009 Corporate Responsibility goals include a target to recruit a further 100 Indigenous trainees in our branch network. We continue to also work towards our broader indigenous employment targets as part of our Reconciliation Action Plan, which was revised in late 2008.