A career with an organisation that values people & diversity
Managing one of Australia’s fastest-growing businesses is a major challenge. At the heart of this challenge is holding on to the culture that makes Leighton Contractors unique.
Managing Director of Leighton Contractors, Peter McMorrow, says that the Leighton Contractors culture is built on a clear set of shared values and a ‘can-do’ attitude - people are given the tools and opportunities to grow to their full potential.
“We are starting to see potential recruits looking at Leighton Contractors from a different perspective,” McMorrow says. “We provide a different value proposition within a very traditional industry sector.
“Good people make a good business, and this is reflected in the company’s growth - we had around 2000 employees in 2004 and now we have more than 8000. Over the same period our revenue and work in hand has tripled.”
Leighton Contractors has long been a national business, but its geographical footprint has expanded in recent years, especially since the acquisition of HWE Mining. The company has projects in all major Australian capital cities, most regional areas and mining centres, and in New Zealand. To help manage this growth, the company has focused on providing opportunities and development for its growing workforce, including its indigenous employees in remote locations.
In the Pilbara region of Western Australia, the company has developed a range of programs aimed at growing the skills base of its indigenous workforce. The skills and recognition programs generate awareness and opportunities and leave a lasting legacy across indigenous communities - a long-lasting career can transform the lives of workers and their families.
Stephen Hayter is a leading hand in the Orebody 23/25 mine in Western Australia and was recently awarded the HWE Mining Spirit Award. He is an indigenous employee recruited originally as a fitter.
“The best thing about working for Leighton Contractors is the recognition,” Stephen says. “I worked for 20 years in my previous job and never really received much recognition for my contribution. Here, they make a real effort to notice good work and let you know it’s appreciated.”
Stephen is not the only member of his family working for HWE - his two daughters, Fiona, 25, and Charmaine, 17, are also working at Orebody 23/25. Fiona works as a truck driver, while Charmaine is an administrative assistant.
Over recent years, significant effort has also gone into the development of creating a work environment where opportunities exist for women and minority groups to grow a career in non-traditional areas of construction, mining, engineering, telecommunications and infrastructure.
“Leighton Contractors has a focus on diversity that has created a very dynamic and vibrant work culture,” says Ana Stankovski, Commercial Manager on the Northern Hume Alliance Project, based in Wagga Wagga.
“The opportunities are there for anyone with talent and ambition. I am always inspired by the achievements of women around our business in senior, technical and non-traditional roles as well as in administration and clerical roles."
One of the fastest-growing trends within Leighton Contractors is the need to accommodate dual-income families where both people work for the company.
“We have a growing number of husband and wife teams in ‘fly in-fly out’ situations in mining that require special consideration to allow their schedules to suit their particular circumstances,” McMorrow says. “We are more than happy to do whatever it takes to get the best outcome for all concerned.”
Leighton Contractors has projects throughout Australia and New Zealand, providing opportunities for people in Sydney to work interstate or even overseas.
The company is preparing to take on a number of major projects in the future, so there has never been a better time for people of all situations and backgrounds to join an organisation that values its people and embraces diversity. For more information about opportunities, visit www.leightoncontractors.com.au
