New Supply Chain Sustainability School launched in Australia

New Supply Chain Sustainability School launched in Australia

Construction and infrastructure industry leaders have joined forces to launch the Supply Chain Sustainability School (the School) in Australia.

The School is a virtual learning platform aimed at increasing sustainability awareness, knowledge and competency across the supply chain.

The industry led initiative is being launched by eight founding partners – John Holland, Mirvac, Stockland, Downer Tenix, McConnell Dowell, Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia, Dulux Group and Laing O’Rourke – with additional funding and support provided by the NSW Government, Sustainability Victoria and Construction Skills Queensland. The School is being delivered by the Net Balance Foundation, with support from Ernst & Young.

Leveraging the success of a similar model in the UK, the School provides a range of free and practical training and support including:

• A free online self-assessment tool which allows organisations to assess current sustainability strengths, and identify areas in need of development.
• Provision of a tailored, prioritised Action Plan to signpost the most relevant learning resources.
• An online resource library offering a wide range of free, carefully selected sustainability related tools, e-learning modules, case studies and web links.
• Face to face training courses linked to specific sustainability topics.
• Supplier days hosted by the School’s Founding Partners providing an opportunity to network, hear about the future of sustainability within the construction industry, and speak directly to the procurement and sustainability staff of the School’s major contractor Partners.

The School is a collective approach to help address the challenges faced by the construction industry and to help the supply chain benefit from new opportunities emerging through sustainable business.

Resources of the School are free to supply chain members and complement existing construction sector standards, rating schemes and frameworks.

The School also runs a Reward and Recognition Program to acknowledge a supplier’s engagement levels with the School, and their progression in utilising resources to increase sustainability knowledge. With the belief that the School’s most active members should be rewarded, Bronze, Silver and Gold membership status reflects how engaged an organisation is with the School, rather than how advanced a business is in addressing the sustainability agenda. Further, the program provides a way for suppliers to demonstrate their competency in the area of sustainability, which can help enhance their competitiveness.

“It is only through an educated, informed and engaged workforce that more sustainable and innovative outcomes can be delivered. The Australian Sustainability Supply Chain School initiative is a key plank in facilitating the education and capacity building of Australia’s workforce in resource efficiency and environmental sustainability. The school compliments and inherently dove tails with ISCA’s IS scheme. We are proud to be involved and congratulate the schools industry partners who have demonstrated significant and sustained leadership.”

With growing expectations that construction and infrastructure projects will be built sustainably, the School provides training and resources in line with international best practice, to ensure the broader supply chain, particularly Small to and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), have a common understanding of best industry practice.

The School offers a unique and innovative way for the construction and infrastructure sectors to work collaboratively to educate our contractors and suppliers, enhancing the efficiency of the supply chain and addressing knowledge gaps.

The School is a national, not-for-profit initiative leading the construction and infrastructure industry into a brighter, more sustainable future.

The School is looking to secure further partnerships with key industry stakeholders who support the School’s vision.

Learn more at www.supplychainschool.org.au