John Swire & Sons – parent company of such iconic transport names as Kalari Transport, Frigmobile and Swire Cold Storage – has announced a new $1 million, six-year partnership with the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF).
The six-year commitment to the AIEF will support the AIEF Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships that enable Indigenous students to attend some of Australia’s leading schools and universities.
Swire will also engage with the AIEF Pathways Program to provide pathways and support for AIEF scholarship students, making the transition from school to further education and employment.
With nationwide operations in transport and logistics, recycling and materials handling, refrigerated storage and logistics, and mining services, Swire will offer opportunities for AIEF students to gain exposure to a broad range of industries, providing students with knowledge and insight into various career pathways.
In addition to such industry exposure opportunities, Swire employees will also be able to engage with AIEF through their mentoring and tutoring programs.
Swire Chairman and Chief Executive, Bill Rothery, said the partnership was part of the company’s wider commitment to sustainable development, which includes making a positive contribution to the communities in which Swire’s Australian businesses operate.
“Swire is fully aligned with what AIEF are doing and are impressed by their achievements over a short period of time. We have partnered with AIEF as we also want to make a difference in indigenous Australia and believe that education is key to providing new opportunities.
“Our investment in AIEF will help Indigenous children access a quality education and opportunities which will have a ripple effect on their families, friends and broader communities,” Rothery said.
AIEF CEO Andrew Penfold said the partnership would enable AIEF to provide more opportunities to a growing number of Indigenous students.
“AIEF is honored by Swire’s decision to show leadership by making an investment which will transform the lives of many Indigenous children,” Penfold said.
“We’re particularly excited to partner with an organisation which operates across such a wide range of industries and locations, which can offer challenging and exciting career opportunities and industry exposure to our scholarship students.”
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