West Australian businesses, Silver Trowel Training and Carey Mining have won two of the three major prizes at the national Ethnic Business Awards.
West Australian businesses, Silver Trowel Training and Carey Mining have won two of the three major prizes at the national Ethnic Business Awards.
There were 600 nominations from across Australia for the award.
Jonathon Skerratt who runs Silver Trowel Training teaching trade skills at WA campuses won the Small Business Category.
Carey Mining was named the winner of the Indigenous in Business Category.
The mining company employs a significant indigenous workforce, with emphasis on training schemes for high-risk students.
"Silver Trowel Training and Carey Mining should be congratulated on their achievements," said Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister John Castrilli.
See statement from the Minister below:
West Australian businesses have won two of the three major prizes at the Ethnic Business Awards.
Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister John Castrilli said the State Government provided $30,000 sponsorship towards this year's event which attracted 600 nominations throughout Australia.
The winner of the Small Business Category was Jonathon Skerratt, who operates Silver Trowel Training, teaching trade skills at four WA campuses.
For the first time an Indigenous in Business Category was included and won by WA's Carey Mining, which employs a significant indigenous workforce, with emphasis on training schemes for high-risk students.
"The Ethnic Business Awards acknowledge the valuable work of migrants in WA and draw attention to the diversity of our small business sector," Mr Castrilli said.
"Silver Trowel Training and Carey Mining should be congratulated on their achievements."
The Minister said he was delighted that Perth hosted the event, the first time in its 22-year history.
"Migrants are strongly represented in small business throughout Australia with nearly 30 per cent owned or operated by people born overseas," he said.
"In Western Australia, migrants continue to make a significant contribution to our economy with small businesses accounting for 96 per cent of all businesses throughout the State."
The State Government has also announced Office of Multicultural Interests' Community Grants funding of $43,345 awarded to a number of new multicultural initiatives.
Premier Colin Barnett said the program provided funding to increase community participation, empowerment and promoted Western Australia's rich cultural diversity.
WA projects include:
- a leadership program for migrant women to improve long-term settlement outcomes awarded to Ishar Multicultural Women's Health Centre
- a 10-week intensive leadership program for refugees and migrant youth, promoting mental health and relationship building skills to be conducted by the Australian Red Cross
- an employment and training program to develop the creative skills of migrant women by the Fremantle Multicultural Centre
- grants to the Unity of Ethiopians in Western Australia organisation to assist youth develop the life skills to address mental health problems, improve conflict management and interpersonal skills.
"I would like to express my congratulations to all the successful recipients from the latest round of the Community Grants Program and wish them every success with their projects," Mr Castrilli said.
"In two years, the State Government has provided $462,000 in community grants which reflects a strong commitment to multiculturalism in Western Australia."
