New program to help South West Aboriginal businesses

Aboriginal business consultants are hoping to see the number of Aboriginal businesses in the South West grow when a new development program hits the region next year.

A number of free workshops will be held at various locations around the State as part of Indigenous Professional Services’ Aboriginal Business Capability Building program, funded by the State Government Department of Finance.

South West IPS consultant Jo Hill said a survey conducted at the start of last year found there was “really only a handful” of Aboriginal businesses in the region.

“With IPS, it’s an opportunity for us to increase those numbers,” she said.

“By having established and well-supported Aboriginal businesses, it allows those businesses to then employ other people which strengthens the community as well.”

The Bunbury workshop will cover topics including writing tenders and marketing and finance and Ms Hill said it would guide people towards taking the right steps and providing pathways for a successful future.

“The challenge has always been how you go about developing your own business,” she said.

We’re able to provide the essential knowledge and foundations people need to actually establish a business and grow it without failure.

IPS commercial and finance director Katina Law said Aboriginal people and businesses should be taking advantage of the Government’s Indigenous Procurement Policy.

“It’s an exciting time for Aboriginal business, and there are increasing opportunities, but still low numbers,” she said.

Ms Hill said the Bunbury Outer Ring Road Project — which has set aside $20 million for Aboriginal employment — was an example of the opportunities coming their way and they needed to take hold of them.

“(Aboriginal Business Capability Building program) is going to be a great way to build the capacity of our local businesses so they can then go on and tender for work, have pride in what they do, and be able to grow both personally and professionally and dream bigger things.”

Historically Aboriginal people haven’t had a chance to be part of major infrastructure projects like this and now with the Government’s policies changing and looking at ways that they can support Aboriginal communities to grow, it’s something we need to grab with two hands and run with.

Bunbury’s workshop will be held at the Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industry on February 6, 2020.