Empowering Aboriginal businesses and jobseekers

Since its establishment in 2021, the collaboration between the Waalitj Foundation and Alcoa Foundation has helped 150 Indigenous jobseekers secure full-time employment and provided independent business advice to 168 Indigenous businesses, building capability and creating pathways to long-term economic participation.

This shared commitment to supporting First Nations-led outcomes and creating sustainable economic opportunities in the Kwinana, Peel and South West regions has now been extended for another three years.

Through skill-building workshops, mentoring, and hands-on help, the Waalitj Foundation’s Plan 2day 4 2morrow (P242) program aims to help address the significant gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people by building confidence, skills and job readiness.

“Alcoa Foundation has enabled us to deliver hundreds of pre-employment sessions for more than 300 jobseekers,” said Waalitj Foundation CEO Lisa Cunningham.

“The Plan 2day 4 2morrow program provides culturally safe mentoring to help First Nations jobseekers prepare for the workforce. The one-on-one mentoring, weekly group sessions and practical assistance with career documentation and interview preparation provide participants with the confidence and skills needed to secure meaningful and sustainable employment.”

The Waalitj Foundation also helps to build the capacity and networks of existing and emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses through access to specialist advice and connections at the Waalitj Business Hub.

Indigenous business owner Bryan Hunter said his company, Turbo Exchange, which was established in 2025, has benefited significantly from the marketing and legal services provided through the Hub.

“We already had the foundations of the business in place, but the services provided by the Waalitj Business Hub helped us take it to the next level,” Bryan said.

“They supported us with our logo, website, marketing and legal documentation so we could operate with the right structures in place.”

Bryan said the workshops and networking events through the Waalitj Hub provided valuable insight into how larger organisations operate.

“We observed their approach to procurement and sourcing suppliers, which is really valuable for a small Aboriginal business like ours that’s looking to grow,” he said.

“I’d encourage other Aboriginal business owners to do the same. The Hub is a great place to test business ideas and gain access to business support.”

Alcoa Foundation President Caroline Rossignol said investing in both Indigenous jobseekers and business owners was key to creating lasting economic opportunities and strengthening local communities in the Kwinana, Peel and South West regions.

“We’re proud of initiatives that empower First Nations people, expand pathways to employment and strengthen Indigenous-owned businesses in the regions where Alcoa operates,” Caroline said.

“By supporting Indigenous jobseekers and Indigenous-owned businesses, we are contributing to stronger and more resilient communities and supporting long-term economic participation.”

Find out more about the Waalitj Hub,  P242 pre-employment program  and Waalitj Foundation.