Hub Business Builder in Bunbury a Success

Our Waalitj Hub Business Builder event series is providing specialist support to Indigenous businesses throughout the state.

Hosted last week in Bunbury, the latest Business Builder event enabled Indigenous business owners and entrepreneurs to join with industry leaders, to discuss local collaboration and procurement opportunities.

Attendees heard from Alcoa Australia, Southern Ports and South West Development Commission.

Waalitj Hub South West Business Coach Michael Jack said the Business Builder events are essential in empowering and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to build business capability.

“These events offer Indigenous business leaders exceptional opportunities to network and explore meaningful business prospects within their region.

The chance to engage in substantive dialogue with industry leaders is invaluable for fostering a strong, sustainable, and competitive Indigenous industry sector that benefits the entire South West community.”

Through the Waalitj Hub, Indigenous business owners have access to a range of free services, including state-of-the-art facilities, mentoring from business coaches, industry connections, and independent professional services. Since its inception in 2020, the Waalitj Hub has serviced over 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. Clients can access specialised, one-on-one support across a range of business areas, such as tendering, industrial relations, marketing, and HR.

The Waalitj Foundation can deliver this vital service to Bunbury thanks to a partnership with the Alcoa Foundation. Alcoa Global Procurement Director Adrian Jones said the company – which mines bauxite and refines alumina in Kwinana, Peel and the Upper South West – is committed to increasing economic participation opportunities for Indigenous Australians through business and employment opportunities.

Following their successful business event series, the Waalitj Foundation has established a permanent presence in the South West region to provide support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders seeking to start, grow and build their own business.

As well as partnering to deliver the Business Builder events, Alcoa Foundation is a proud supporter of the Waalitj Foundation’s pre-employment programs across their local communities, focusing on improving the employability of Indigenous job seekers through developing skills and work readiness.

The Waalitj Hub supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wanting to start, grow or sustain their businesses through a combination of in-house business coaching and access to professional support and is supported by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and Corporate partners. Find out more.