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Developing future Indigenous leaders

At BHP, our goal is a workforce that is truly representative of the societies where we operate. We aim to achieve this by addressing barriers and the impacts of bias experienced by people from non-dominant groups.  

Our Indigenous Employment team develops culturally appropriate Indigenous workforce initiatives, such as the Indigenous Development Program, designed to retain and develop our Indigenous employees. First launched in Western Australia, the Indigenous Development Program aims to support Indigenous employees, reduce turnover rates, and help develop our Indigenous leaders. This is achieved by understanding and addressing some of the unique challenges our Indigenous colleagues may face in the workplace and bringing a sense of identity, connection and vision in order to overcome challenges. The Indigenous Development Program also brings together BHP’s organisational purpose and our core leadership capabilities, exploring these in a way that personalises them for the participants and the cohort more broadly. 

The Indigenous Development Program continues to adapt and evolve based on the input of local partners across the regions where we operate. During FY2023, we extended the Indigenous Development Program (which was first piloted to Olympic Dam and BHP Mitsubishi Alliance) to establish our first fully national approach, celebrating with more than 50 Indigenous colleagues who successfully graduated.   

“We took the first steps on the path to deadliness.'”  
- Lawrance Jones, BMA Aviation Officer, Moranbah 

“Inspire others to break down barriers.”  
- Khia White, BMA Coal Mine Operator, Blackwater Mine

People in room