Waalitj Foundation leads employment roundtable to break down barriers to Indigenous employment
A WA charity geared towards empowering Indigenous Australians through employment and education is helping businesses better equip their First Nations employees.
The Waalitj Foundation, in partnership with Alcoa Australia, hosted a roundtable last month with industry leaders to discuss ways to create greater workplace opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
About 20 people attended the round table at the Jakovich Function Centre in Kwinana, including representatives from the Water Corporation, Programmed, Austal, Alcoa Australia and WesCEF.
It was facilitated by Waalitj employment services manager Erin Rundle and general manager community development Troy Cook and focused on how the foundation’s Plan 2day 4 2morrow (P242) employment program could help businesses build genuine and sustainable relationships in local communities.
Ms Rundle and Mr Cook discussed the complexities and barriers to employment that First Nations jobseekers face and how employers could help.
Ms Rundle said it was encouraging to see so many organisations wanting to make a genuine impact.
“Connecting with our P242 employment program continues to form great outcomes for our participants and corporate partnerships,” she said.
“Our experienced First Nations mentors are an important link in creating sustainable employment pathways.”
Alcoa Aboriginal engagement lead Bevan Whitby said the Waalitj employment mentors were community leaders and advocates who made a significant difference to the employment journey for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander jobseekers.
“Alcoa is proud to be partnering with the Waalitj Foundation to deliver these important employment services in the Kwinana, Peel and Upper Southwest region,” Mr Whitby said.
“The benefits this partnership has had for First Nations people in this region has been huge and I look forward to seeing this continue to grow.”
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