Business Builder forges new connections

Waalitj Hub delivered another successful Business Builder event in Kwinana on Tuesday 16 May, thanks to support from the Alcoa Foundation.

Hosted at the AMC Jakovich Centre near Kwinana’s industrial centre, Waalitj Hub’s fourth Business Builder of the year connected local industry leaders with Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs with expertise in logistics, resources, medical supplies, and construction.

Guests heard from Waalitj Hub Business Coach Josie Todd and General Manager Shane Devitt about the organisation’s offering to Indigenous-owned businesses, which includes marketing mentoring, support on legal matter and advice on human resource issues.

Local industry leaders share insights

Presenters included Adrian Jones, Global Procurement Director of Alcoa Australia, who spoke about how Aboriginal businesses can engage with Alcoa’s Kwinana refinery operations, as well as its Pinjarra and Bunbury locations.

Representatives from the Department of Finance outlined upcoming infrastructure and construction opportunities across the state, while speakers from Westpac detailed the bank’s loan and financing offerings for Indigenous business owners.

Being so close to the hub of WA’s marine industry and naval industries, guests were treated to a robust presentation from Keith Rao of shipbuilding outfit Luerssen Australia, as well as Daniel Moss, advisor at the Office of Defence Industry Support.

Guests were also treated to a presentation from the Australian Electoral Commission on the ins and outs of the upcoming referendum on the Voice to Parliament.

Indigenous business sector goes from strength to strength

Shane Devitt, Waalitj Hub General Manager, said face-to-face industry networking events are vital for the development of the Indigenous business sector.

“The Indigenous business sector in Western Australia is thriving across every industry,” he said.

“Bringing together emerging Indigenous businesses with established industry leaders is the best way to facilitate new business partnerships.

“We’ve seen so many new relationships and contracts emerge from our Business Builder events and I’m confident we’ll see more as a result of this event.”

The Kwinana Business Builder was the latest in a series of business development events, following on from events in Geraldton in early May and Mandurah in April.

The event was made possible with the support of Alcoa’s global charity, the Alcoa Foundation, which provides funding to the Waalitj Hub to deliver business pop-ups in areas where the resources company operates across the Upper South West, Peel and Kwinana.

Alcoa Global Procurement Director, Adrian Jones, who presented to the businesses in attendance outlining the opportunities for Indigenous businesses within Alcoa, said the Indigenous business sector remains a priority for Alcoa’s operations throughout Western Australia.

“We remain committed to growing our Indigenous workforce and our Indigenous contractors,” he said.

“These Business Builders are a fantastic way for us connect with Indigenous owned-businesses to facilitate our refinery operations across our Kwinana, Peel and South West hubs.”

Waalitj Hub’s Business Builder events in Kwinana, Peel and the upper South West are proudly supported by the Alcoa Foundation. Waalitj Hub is supported by the National Indigenous Australians Agency.

 

Are you an Indigenous business owner? Get in touch to find out how Waalitj Hub can support your business.