Indigenous jobs boost
Wajarri Holdings and ERS Equipment have formed an alliance to help provide further employment opportunities to indigenous people in the Mid West.
The joint venture WADJERS was initiated last month, the culmination of the knowledge, resources and experience of the two companies to help facilitate further opportunities for Wajarri people in the workforce.
Wajarri Holdings is an excavating and earthmoving company and ERS Equipment is a plant hire company, with a large fleet of late model earthmoving machinery.
ERS Equipment is also responsible for the manufacture of service and support units for the civil, mining and construction industries, the manufacture of traffic management equipment and the supply of trailer mounted support equipment.
Wajarri Holdings managing director Gavin Egan said the support of ERS Equipment improved the capacity for Wajarri Holdings to be contracted for larger projects within the Mid West.
“For many years we’ve never had these opportunities but with a company willing to assist us, it gives Wajarri people greater opportunities in the workforce,” Mr Egan said.
Mr Egan said they wanted to make it easier for indigenous people to feel comfortable applying for jobs.
WADJERS will specialise in earthworks-related services, but will not limit itself to the civil, mining and construction industries.
ERS Equipment business development manager Brian Lockyear said WADJERS hoped to tender for and secure contracts in the near future.
Mr Lockyear said down the track they also hoped to create a plant rental company supplying both wet and dry hire, and develop a mechanical repair business and a training company specific to indigenous training.
The current WADJERS workforce stands at 30, but there are plans to recruit more employees to join the team.
Mr Egan said they had come a long way to improving the employment opportunities for Wajarri people since Wajarri Holdings was founded in 2008, but this new alliance was an exciting prospect for the future.
“It is satisfying to achieve what we have, gratifying to achieve a lot more,” Mr Egan said.
JESSICA MILLWARD
