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transfieldservices.comTHE TRANSFIELD SERVICES BUSINESS MAGAZINE37Hec’s highvoltage careerAfter 54 years of service to the company,Hector Sutherland – one of Electrical ServicesNew Zealand’s most respected staff members– was recently honoured by colleagues fromacross the country to mark his retirement andcelebrate a remarkable career.Over the course of five decades, Hec’s highvoltage (HV) experience has taken himvirtually the length and breadth of NewZealand, working in earlier years on theconstruction of major hydro-generationstations in South Island and then steadilynorth to our South Auckland service centrewhere he’s been based since 1980.His HV expertise has been invaluable acrossa wide range of industry sectors fromTekapo, Benmore and Roxburgh hydrostations to pulp and paper mills at Kawerauand Kinleith, to NZ Steel Taharoa MineSite, the Northland Dairy Company plantat Maungataroto and the Portland CementWorks near Whangarei.In an address to Hec, his family andguests, Steve Webster – who heads up theElectrical Services business in New Zealandand Australia – said: “Service to theindustry has defined Hec’s 54-year career;his passion for safety and unreserveddedication to actively improving safeworking practices has impacted and definedNew Zealand’s Electrical Services industryfor the better.”“It has been an enormous privilege for usat Transfield Services to count Hec as oneamong us – a dedicated and generous[left] Hec with his wifeJeanette and son Hamish.[below] Brian Taka wearshis tribute to HectorSutherland.colleague towhom we paytribute notonly for hisprofessionalachievementsand contribution to Transfield Servicesand our nation’s electrical industry; butwhom we also honour as a true gentleman– a courteous man who walks with integrity,discipline, intelligence, and kindness.”Survey’s positiveresultsA recent survey of our Indigenousemployees found that most are satisfiedwith their jobs and the support they receivefrom the company.In 2011, Transfield Services commissioned anexternal research provider to measure theviews and perspectives of our Indigenousemployees.Social Compass conducted the survey of34 Indigenous employees from 15 contractsacross Australia, with representation fromall States and Territories where TransfieldServices operates.The survey participants were interviewed andprovided with an opportunity to give theirviews on employment opportunities and theirknowledge of our Indigenous Participationapproach, including our Reconciliation ActionPlan (RAP).They were also asked abouttheir impressions with regard to respect andrecognition within the workplace.The survey findings showed an overallpositive response with most employeesbeing extremely satisfied with their jobstatus and work support.One-third of the employees rated thebenefits of our corporate strategies thatdrive Indigenous Participation, such as theRAP, as ‘high’ to ‘very high’ and 91 per centbelieved that Transfield Services is dedicatedto employing and engaging Indigenouspeople.In terms of the company recognising andrespecting their cultural needs, over 90per cent of respondents either ‘agreed’ or‘strongly agreed’ that their cultural needswere being met.Our Indigenous Development Manager,Jason Lewin says: “These results have beena positive reflection of our Company’svalues and how we are creating a culturallysafe environment for Indigenous people.”“As an Indigenous person and an employee,I congratulate Transfield Services on thecommitment it has made to engagingour communities, building awareness andunderstanding about our cultures andproviding sustainable career opportunitiesfor our mob.”Our Indigenous employees made severalsuggestions for improvement such asimplementing more cultural awarenesstraining across sites and contracts, enhancingopportunities for Indigenous people to moveinto management positions, improving thementoring program, promoting culturallysensitive HR policies and practices and moreadvertising of Transfield Services as a leadingchoice of employer for Indigenous people.