Nicholson Construction (AWN) Partners with Kinaway!
Overview of the Partner’s business
Winner of the 2022 and 2023 MBAV Regional Commercial Builder of the Year award, Nicholson Construction (AWN) commenced operations in the late 1800’s and we have developed into regional Victoria’s leading commercial construction company, specialising in buildings up to $50M serviced from Ballarat, Geelong, Bendigo, and Warrnambool.
We hold all building registrations and insurances necessary to undertake unlimited commercial construction work, including Victoria Building Authority registration, pre-qualification with the Department of Transport and full insurance cover. We hold ISO certification in safety, quality, and environmental management, and are compliant with the National Code of Practice for the Building and Construction Industry.
How has the Partner engaged with the Indigenous sector?
In 2023 AWN initiated annual Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training – commencing with Directors and Managers and proposed to extend to all staff. As part of our project delivery AWN have engaged Aboriginal people either through direct employment or via Indigenous owned companies working in the construction industry. For instance, using Kinaway’s trade directory to identify A2b personnel, AWN are now using Aboriginal labour hire on multiple projects.
In the past AWN have also had indigenous apprentice’s working direct for the company. AWN have delivered multiple indigenous owned projects, for instance Budj Bim Visitor centre in the Southwest and are currently delivering Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative medical centre (BDAC)
AWN are also proud of our recent recognition for the following award-winning projects and aboriginal partnerships:
Budj Bim Masterplan (Winner 2023 MBAV Best Sustainable Regional Project)
Bendigo District Aboriginal Co-op (BDAC) Community Centre, Bendigo (Winner 2017 MBAV Regional Award for Excellence in Construction of Commercial Buildings $3M - $6M)
Gunditj Mirring Keeping Place and Business Centre (Winner 2021 MBAV Best Sustainable Regional Project and Excellence in Construction $1M - $3M).
Why did the Partner sign up with Kinaway? What was the driving factor?
AWN recognise the benefit of partnering with Kinaway as our own scale of project delivery continues to grow. In addition to the visibility Kinaway have of existing and emerging businesses our commitment to training and education of all staff per a provider such as Kinaway is an opportunity we see as being incredibly beneficial. Kinaway’s business structure and access to ongoing support to our teams from Estimating to Project Delivery has also been recognised by AWN as a focus.
AWN are also keen to lean on Kinaway as we develop our RAP.
What is the Partner’s mission or aim in supporting the Indigenous economy? How will Kinaway member businesses benefit from this partnership?
AWN’s engagement with the indigenous economy is developing from a project requirement perspective to a “business-as-usual” procurement process. Therefore, the choice of subcontractor provides teams with options beyond their traditional subcontractor choice. AWN want to support Indigenous growth and development, whether it is mandated at project level or not. AWN believe Kinaway may be able to assist us in this regard.
How does the partner hope to benefit from the partnership with Kinaway?
AWN’s project reach covers a large portion of regional Victoria, we feel this geographical coverage lends itself to engaging with local Indigenous communities to provide opportunities and outcomes throughout our business. We also hope Kinaway can provide additional training to our project staff in relation to opportunities to engage with the Indigenous economy.