Mitsubishi Group internship offers insights into Japan’s history of corporate social responsibility
Aldridge Railway Signals named Indigenous Exporter of the Year
First Nations business Aldridge Railway Signals was named Indigenous Exporter of the Year at Supply Nation’s Supplier Diversity Awards in Sydney in August this year.
“Seeing Mitsubishi Group’s collective intent to move towards a carbon neutral society and learning how many Mitsubishi Group companies are putting a priority focus on sustainability gives me confidence that they will have a significant and ongoing positive impact on this important issue.” Above: New Colombo Plan scholars visiting a brewing site at Kirin Brewery, Kobe. Mitsubishi Group companies host NCP scholars across a range of businesses, including visits and workshops with Kirin Holdings Company, Limited, Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government. It aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region. The New Colombo Plan involves a scholarship program for study of up to one year and internships or mentorships, and a flexible mobility grants program for both short and longer- term study, internships, mentorships, practicums and research. For further information see dfat.gov.au/people-to- people/new-colombo-plan
The Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-run business
manufactures signals and provides infrastructure to clients throughout Asia. It was just one of the success stories recognised in the annual awards celebrating a prosperous, vibrant and sustainable Indigenous business sector. Managing Director David Aldridge accepted the award, which is sponsored by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). The 1,200-strong audience at Supply Nation’s Connect 2023 Gala Awards Dinner comprised First Nations business owners and corporate and government representatives. Aldridge says the award is a great recognition of his company’s growing export success. “We’ve had a cracker of a year. Last year export markets made up 43 per cent of our turnover and we’re still growing. “We’ve been in Indonesia for 15 years but all of a sudden the top’s blown off. We’re also doing projects in Malaysia and just completed the first stage of a project in Taiwan,” he says.
Tap into government resources to start exporting Aldridge encourages other Indigenous businesses to get out and use their networks and tap into government resources to explore exporting pathways. “You can’t export from behind a computer. You’ve got to get out, get up and running and see people and prospective clients.’ he explains. “We’ve been supported along the way by Austrade. There are a lot of people out there who help Indigenous exporters and they are just there for the asking. You’ve got Supply Nation, Austrade, Export Nation. There are other Indigenous exporters that are always happy to help too.” Austrade and the NSW Government through the TradeStart initiative have helped Aldridge Railway Signals to develop export markets, including Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand.
Austrade Trade and Investment Commissioner to Malaysia and Brunei and proud Aboriginal woman Melanie Harris says Austrade has been a longtime supporter of the non-profit Supply Nation. It is one of the many organisations the agency partners with to champion First Nations exporters. “Austrade is committed to assisting First Nations businesses to find international markets, grow exports and successfully go global. This involves promoting the success of First Nations exporters through initiatives like Supply Nation’s Supplier Diversity Awards,” she says. The shortlisted contenders in the 2023 Exporter of the Year category were Jala Jala Treats, whose chocolate features Native Australian ingredients, and Young Guns Container Crew, a shipping and logistics business servicing Australia, New Zealand and Canada, whose strong employment pathway supports professional development for Indigenous young people. For information on services, toolkits and grants Austrade offers to exporters, see Austrade.gov. au/en/how-we-can-help-you/ australian-exporters.html
Since 2017 nearly 70 New Colombo Plan (NCP) scholars and alumni have been given an inside look into 21st century Japanese business thinking and innovation, thanks to the NCP’s collaboration with the Mitsubishi Group in Japan.
New Colombo Plan scholar Fraser Robb, a Curtin University graduate in electrical engineering, and computer science student, says his internship with Mitsubishi was a highlight of his time in Japan. “Learning about the Mitsubishi Group’s history and its businesses, I have a real appreciation of the shared corporate principles that they stand by – it’s a uniquely Japanese approach to business,” Fraser says. “It was fantastic to be introduced to companies which firmly commit to a shared set of values and with such success. It’s clear to see both the commercial advantages and societal benefits, which come from their collective commitment to corporate social responsibility, integrity and fairness and developing global understanding through business.
The New South Wales- based company has also used Austrade’s Export Market Development Grants
Above; Managing Director David Aldridge accepting the Indigenous Exporter of the Year award
(EMDG) program to successfully market and promote products and services to customers throughout Asia.
Top; There was an audience of over 1,000 at the Connect 2023 Gala Awards Dinner
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business envoy Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade business envoy
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
business envoy
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