Social Procurement Company Policy & Commitments - CDPG

SOCIAL PROCUREMENT COMMITMENT

Cooke & Dowsett Plumbing Group is leading the way in Social Procurement within the construction industry. From ensuring we have a workplace that employees feel comfortable being who they are, to working in remote areas where our projects have changed lives and communities through the improvement of sanitation systems.

As a company and for client projects we apply the same considerations. By identifying the economic, social and environmental objectives which we can measure, report and share the learnings within the Group, our social responsibility increases. 5

PRIORITY OBJECTIVES

INDIGENOUS

have been chosen based on their strong alignment with our strategic direction and values: SUSTAINABILITY

"We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone is valued, supported and respected. By embracing all ages, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, education and appearance our people feel safe, empowered and motivated to be their best"

Scott Dowsett & Chadd Cooke, Directors

SOCIAL INCLUSION

Improve the standard of living for individuals and groups. Helping others to take part in society and have the basic fundamentals in life.

Our experience has shown that through planning and collaboration with other stakeholders the benefits of social procurement can be maximised during and long after construction.

700+

Training hours achieved across last years projects

DIVERSITY

Recognise the value of a diverse workforce within a businessembrace persons different experiences, skills, cultures and knowledge.

40+

Jobs across all company sectors promoting women in construction.

INDIGENOUS

Build capacity of our people, to develop real, long-lasting relationships founded in a celebration of culture.

SUSTAINABILITY

Developing, implementing and maintaining environmental systems and standards.

INNOVATION

Keep on challenging, researching and learning from our experiences whilst embracing new global technologies.

48 Indigenous apprentices successfully completed training

150+ Jobs created for Indigenous people

$100K

With local suppliers and social enterprises

standard of living for individuals and groups. Helping others to take part in society and receive the basic fundamentals in life.

T EAMWORK

We value our networks and see everyone we work with as part of our extended team who we treat fairly, respectfully and honestly.

PARTNE RS

As a private company we have the opportunity to be part of joint ventures and partnering arrangements.

We strive to work with those who are committed to doing business in a responsible and ethical manner.

COMMUN I T Y

We understand the value of strong and enduring relationships with the communities in which we operate. We aim to provide appropriate and tangible social benefits, whilst ensuring that all community initiatives are aligned with our social priorities.

We support the development and sustainability of regional economies by creating jobs and wherever practicable, engaging the local purchase of goods and services.

• Empowering communities and individuals by giving them a voice.

• Ensuring access to employment and the tools to participate in social life: housing, employment, education, and health care.

• Encouraging community participation in social and cultural events.

house's, Melbourne.

MITS exists to create pathways to greater opportunity for Indigenous students from remote and regional communities, so that they may lead lives full of choice. Partnering with Kane Constructions we refurbished two boarding houses each with approx 25 bedrooms along with shared community areas, kitchens and bathrooms.

Everyday Items -

Aussie Veterans Coffee Co.

Great coffee is a necessity across our group and the taste is even better when we know we are helping others through our everyday indulgence. Aussie Veterans Coffee Co. is run by a Veteran's Advocate group with the goal of providing employment opportunities for members of our community that have been effected by their service to Australia.

Simply looking for a great coffee bean can make a difference.

different experiences, skills, cultures and knowledge. This helps to build strong and lasting relationships with our colleagues and customers.

STRATEGY

• To ensure the Group has a diverse and inclusive work environment in which everyone is treated fairly and with respect.

• To promote equality of opportunity throughout all aspects of the employment life cycle and ensure that everyone enjoys a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, vilification and victimisation.

Teaming with Kane Constructions

“Plan to Promote Woman” initiative at the Victorian State Netball & Hockey Centre - the spiritual home of women in Sport.

Kane identified this project as an opportunity to promote the role of women in both the sporting and construction industries raising the profile and highlighting the important role women play in delivering landmark projects.

Holding membership with the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and receiving two awards including Tasmanian Chapter Awards for Excellence, Achievement by a Tradesperson and Industry Scholarship Award for an employees work within the plumbing industry.

Participating in the 2019 World Plumbing Conference “Women in Construction” which encourages women to work in the construction industry.

Read more about our female apprentice Jasmine Garner: https://plumber.com.au/ news/how-to-kick-goals/#!

"Embrace the one thing we have in common - Diversity" Winston Churchill

develop real, long-lasting relationships founded in a celebration of culture. Developing opportunities and outcomes with Indigenous Australians is a priority within our business.

Indigenous apprentices successfully completed training to be qualified plumbers

STRATEGY

• Recognition, respect and valuing of cultures is the cornerstone to improved services with Indigenous Australians.

• Identifying, forming and growing relationships are an essential value within our business and creating the culture we have.

• Increasing the economic participation of Indigenous Australians in the economy delivers real benefits for individuals, families and communities.

For further information about our apprenticeship program and community involvement copy or click on the below:

Piping the Dream – Nudj Plumbing http://www.youtube.com/watch

Cooke & Dowsett Plumbing Groups' long term passion for the development of Indigenous Australians within the plumbing industry has provided a ripple effect whereby not only has the self-esteem and overall wellbeing of the participants in the program been enhanced but so too has the knowledge and ability to affect real change in the improvement of sanitation and delivery of clean water in remote areas of the north west of Australia.

Our major focus has been to train, develop and mentor local youth and we have developed long term associations with indigenous organisations such as RAW recruitment and Indigenous training organisations such as Nirrumbuk Aboriginal Corporation.

Cooke & Dowsett Plumbing Group has been recognised as a leader in this area through numerous awards, media articles and political speeches. Our commitment does not end at the front door. Moreover, Scott Dowsett is also a director of the Indigenous Plumbing & Sanitation foundation. Scott has personally spent a lot of time in the Kimberly region and developed long term relationships with Indigenous leaders and elders and has a clear understanding of the struggles and hardships that are endured in the region and throughout Australia.

For further information please refer to our 'IndigenousParticipationPlan'.

Active Member of Supply Nation

Pathway Plumbing Services became part of the Cooke & Dowsett Plumbing Group in early 2021 with the relationship already broadening cultural awareness within the group.

Pathway Plumbing Services was formed by Ricky Morris and Kaelun Brown and is one of the first 100% Indigenous owned plumbing companies. It has a vision of providing a work platform that promotes employment, mentoring and training opportunities for Indigenous Australians who are considering a career in the plumbing industry, whilst providing a culturally safe environment to learn and build individual capacity.

Pathway Plumbinghas embedded relationships to the local community across:

Victorian Aboriginal Health Service; YAPPERA; Aboriginal Advancement League; Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service; Fitzroy Stars Football Club; Victorian Aboriginal Child Care; Darrdi Manorrow Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited; Victorian Aboriginal Education Association

Pathway Plumbing bring:

 Indigenous employment through Pathways Plumbing and work experience kids through WILLAN guiding Spirits

• Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony Cultural dance

• Direct contacts with the Local Aboriginal Advisory committee who deal with all Indigenous matters in the LGA and local elders.

“Having Pathway Plumbing in our Group of companies is a real honor and the diversity of our team and attitudes throughout continue to make us proud of who we are”

Scott Dowsett, Director

Formed in 2009 NUDJ Plumbing Services is the amalgamation of the Nirrumbuk Aboriginal Corporation, the Victorian Plumbers Union, Cooke & Dowsett Plumbing Group and the Jarlmadangah Burru Aboriginal Corporation.

NUDJ Plumbing Services deliver high quality plumbing solutions across Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland. Working within remote Indigenous communities to improve sanitation, water management and to provide training and development opportunities to Indigenous Australians.

The company’s mission is dedicated to enriching the lives of Indigenous people in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions through plumbing apprenticeship programs with the Victorian Plumbers Union, employment with NUDJ Plumbing and the provision of labour hire through Cooke & Dowsett Plumbing Group.

We aim to provide opportunities for young indigenous people to learn new skills, become qualified in their trade, have ongoing work and be empowered to mentor others in their communities.

From hosting a number of Indigenous apprentices through the Plumbing Union Indigenous Apprenticeship Program to setting up NUDJ the undermining objective has been the same - everyone should be able to access clean water.

Blake Bin Swani recently completed his apprenticeship with NUDJ Plumbing Services. Coming from Broome, Blake had further than most to travel for his training which was in Perth. This did not deter him and he was one of 10 recipients to be awarded the 2019 Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants.

STRATEGY recognises that conserving and protecting the environment for futuregenerations is a critical issue. We are committed to working toward the delivery of environmentally sustainable outcomes and achieving continual improvement in our sustainability performance.

• Ensuring workplace environmental management principles are included in all organisational planning activities.

• Providing ongoing education and training.

• Ensuring incidents are investigated and lessons shared.

• Distributing workplace environmental information.

SUSTAINABILI TY OBJECTIVE S

• Climate change.

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• Reducing energy and water use.

• Reducing resource use such as single-use plastics.

• Increasing recycling.

• Promoting sustainable development and outcomes.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

This reduction has also significantly reduced the on-site unpacking time.

Cooke & Dowsett Plumbing Group has a significant pipeline of sustainable projects which as a company is a key objective in the tendering of projects. It is important to share similar values to those we work with and experience shows that doing so can achieve greater project outcomes.

We have the opportunity to maintain and improve the health and safety of communities all over the world through our industry. Our contribution whilst modest can go some way to solving bigger global issues. Industry association memberships are key to ensuring we continue to connect to our communities.

Master Plumbers were instrumental in launching the 'Better Life Outcomes' the lives and health of people in remote communities through better plumbing, sanitation and education. This was promoted on World Plumbing Day by Sir Bob Geldof.

We were proud to be part of the pivotal team from the initial discussions of the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) Narre Warren campus which has set new standards in sustainable building. It is the first net zero energy education and research facility in Victoria. All the energy required to support the operation of the building is generated on-site through the incorporation of a number of renewable energy technologies.

The Northern Private Hospital will be a 126-bed facility, with four operating theatres, a cardiac catheter lab, three inpatient wards and a day oncology centre. A Climate Change Adaptation Plan has been developed to identify the impacts and associated risks of climate change on this project over the lifetime of the asset.

Our Albury based Project Manager Paul Harrington has been working with the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation who selected a group of Australian Architects, and Plumbers from the Rwanda Plumbers Organisation to virtually design the new facilities for the Munazi Primary School in Gisagara District, Southern Province.

Our Vision is to ensure we keep on researching and learning from our experiences.

Innovation is born out of lateral thinking and challenging how we best meet our clients requirements.

P R E-FABRICATION

The trade of plumbing requires multiple skill sets. Technologies, materials, equipment and appliances are forever evolving.

Encouraging further training opportunities within the group have seen work exchanges within Europe broadening our understanding of emerging technologies and innovations.

Prefabrication is the practice of assembling components of a structure in a factory or other manufacturing site, and transporting complete assemblies and sub-assemblies to the construction site where the structure is to be located. The term is used to distinguish this process from the more conventional construction practice of transporting the basic materials to the construction site where all assembly is carried out.

The implementation of prefabrication systems offers many benefits. Some of these benefits are tangible i.e. the reduction of material wastage on-site and some are non tangible i.e. modular construction is often commended for energy efficiency and sustainable construction.

Cooke & Dowsett's prefabrication systems bring together collaborative input from all key stakeholders. Through new technologies we are constantly improving efficiencies and minimising operating costs by adopting innovative design solutions utilizing 3D Modeling and Auto Desk Software including Auto Cad and Revit MEP.

For further information on our Pre-fabrication offering please refer to our 'Hydraulic Innovation & Pre-fabrication' brochure.

• reduced material wastage

• on-site labour requirements are significantly lower

• energy efficiency and sustainable construction

• controlled environment to prepare and test.

We respect and honor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on this land and commit to building a brighter future together.

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