Waalitj Foundation secures Alcoa support

Alcoa Foundation has committed a further $655,000 to not-for-profit Waalitj Foundation, previously named the Wirrpanda Foundation, to grow its employment and business support programs over the next three years.

The donation takes Alcoa Foundation’s investment in the programs to about $850,000 since the partnership between the two organisations started last year.

The partnership has supported the delivery of seven regional Waalitj Hub business events, attended by 45 First Nations’ businesses, to build capacity.

According to Waalitj Foundation, three businesses have secured work as a result.

The funding also supported the delivery of 27 Plan 2 Day for Tomorrow pre-employment sessions, which have been attended by 53 people.

At least 14 attendees gained employment as a direct result of the program.

The further investment from Alcoa Foundation will fund these programs to continue to be delivered across the Kwinana, Peel and Upper South West regions until the end of 2025.

It will support around 18 more business hubs, more than 300 hours of business coaching and support, 243 pre-employment sessions and 4,500 hours of employment mentoring and upskilling, including supporting people to obtain their drivers’ licence.

“The Waalitj Foundation’s success and significant growth is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the staff that deliver our programs,” Waalitj Foundation chair and former managing director of Alcoa of Australia Alan Cransberg said.

“Partnering with the Alcoa Foundation ensures that we can continue to achieve the best possible outcomes for our participants across employment and business opportunities.”

Alcoa Foundation president Rosa García Piñeiro said the partnership was a great fit with the foundation’s mission of addressing the needs of places where Alcoa worked.

“We are proud to continue to work with the Waalitj Foundation to help address the significant gap in the employment rate of Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people along with the under-representation of Indigenous Australians in business ownership,” Ms Piñeiro said.

“The power of employment and business ownership are well recognised in addressing socio economic inequity.”

The Alcoa Foundation is the global philanthropic arm of the mining company, which trades locally as Alcoa of Australia. 

The Waalitj Foundation was named after its founder David Wirrpanda until the end of 2021.

Its new name means eagle in Noongar language. 

According to the foundation's website, Mr Wirrpanda is focusing on his business Wirrpanda Supplies. 

“As the founder of the Foundation my personal goal was not only empowering communities, but to empower internal staff to eventually take the lead of a strong Aboriginal organisation," Mr Wirrpanda said on the website. 

“I myself have my personal goals in growing my business, Wirrpanda Supplies, where my focus now lies.”

"I support the foundation’s new direction and the journey and wish them all the best.”