Raising The Bar for First Nations Jobs and Procurement

For the last financial year in Western Australia, Programmed Facility Management has provided over $17 million to Indigenous vendors as part of our contracts with a range of clients, including the State Government.

One of the businesses we’re proud to work alongside is YarningCirclesWA, founded by Terry Farrell. Specialising in outdoor works, particularly landscaping and nature play spaces, YarningCirclesWA is currently delivering a project at Rosalie Primary School, transforming the grounds into a vibrant, nature-based learning environment.

Programmed has worked with quality service provider, Codee Cleaning Services, since 2018. Codee donates a portion of funds from every carton of their Too Lovely paper products to Each One Teach One – a group supporting disadvantaged Aboriginal youth aged 10 to 18.

Across Australia, Programmed has significantly increased its engagement with First Nations businesses. Over the past four years Programmed achieved a 2,400% increase in spend with First Nations suppliers and businesses. For example, Programmed has been sourcing all office supplies through Muru Office Supplies, a part of the Muru Group, since 2016. Muru Office Supplies is a purpose-driven, community-focused organisation that contributes 20 per cent of all profits from all sales to education, employment, health, and well-being initiatives supporting First Nations communities.

In 2017, Programmed also committed to a ten-year plan with ‘GenerationOne’, setting the goal of creating an additional 5,000 jobs for First Nations peoples. Since making the pledge, Programmed has created 2,323 positions across our core workforce, direct employment (5 per cent of our current workforce) or placed directly with our customers. We are continuing to make great progress across our business towards this 2026 goal.