Throughout March, across the nation, communities celebrated women and their achievements on International Women’s Day.  In 2016, BHP set an aspirational goal to reach gender balance by 2025. BHP’s inclusion and diversity commitments are also an opportunity for their suppliers and other partners to encourage diversity progress in their own businesses. Small, local and Indigenous businesses operating across the region are doing their bit to ‘Partner for Change’. Over 28% of our Local Buying Program Suppliers in Queensland are owned by females, either wholly or in partnerships.

One Local Buying Program Supplier – Queensland Training and Development Pty Ltd is a 100% female owned and operated local business based in Mackay. Business owners Deborah O’Shea and Kellie Tait worked in the mining industry as specialists in training for several years. In 2012, their business ownership dream was achieved and since joining the program in 2016, Queensland Training and Development have supported multiple sites to meet their training needs, completing over 96 work instructions. Their industry knowledge in combination with their training and assessment skills make them valuable Local Buying Program suppliers.

“The major benefit of the Local Buying Program, is that it reaches all local companies that offer that service. It is an easy and simple Program to use, with multiple sites using the Program, to source local providers. Keeping it local, what more can I say?”
Kellie Matthews | Director Queensland Training and Development