Supply Chain Sustainability School launched by construction industry

Australian construction and infrastructure companies have launched the Supply Chain Sustainability School - an online learning forum designed to help the construction sector assess and improve its sustainability and competency across the supply chain.

Endorsed by the Australian Constructors Association, the not-for-profit initiative is based on the Supply Chain School currently operating in the UK. The school provides an online self-assessment tool for businesses, e-learning modules and a resource library, addressing topics such as waste, water, carbon and energy, environmental management and climate adaptation.

The initiative has been launched by eight founding partners - John Holland, Mirvac, Stockland, Downer Tenix, McConnell Dowell, Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia, DuluxGroup and Laing O’Rourke - with additional funding and support provided by NSW Government, Sustainability Victoria and Construction Skills Queensland. The school will be delivered by the Net Balance Foundation, with support from Ernst & Young.

School co-chair Renuka Sabaratnam, John Holland’s group manager for sustainability, said there is a growing expectation that construction and infrastructure projects will be built in a sustainable manner and in line with international best practice. She said, “The Supply Chain Sustainability School has been set up in Australia to provide training and other resources to ensure the broader supply chain has a common understanding of best industry practice.”

Co-chair Roderick Petre, Mirvac’s procurement manager for construction, added that the founding partners are encouraging their supply chains to engage with the school to benefit from the training and wide range of free resources available. He said, “As well as addressing some obvious knowledge gaps, the school offers a unique and innovative way for the construction and infrastructure industry to work collaboratively to educate our contractors and suppliers, and to enhance the efficiency of the supply chain.”

The school is inviting industry suppliers, particularly small to medium enterprises (SMEs) including smaller contractors, suppliers and service providers, to complete the online training for a better understanding of sustainability standards for the industry. The school is also looking to secure further partnerships with key industry stakeholders who support its vision.

For more information, visit http://www.supplychainschool.org.au/.