The McGowan Government's key strategy to create more opportunities for local businesses has supported an estimated 43,297 jobs in less than three years.
In October 2018, the Western Australian Industry Participation Strategy (WAIPS) was launched as a requirement of the Western Australian Jobs Act 2017 (WA Jobs Act).
The strategy is a key component of the Government's commitment to ensure local businesses receive a greater share of the estimated $30 billion spent by the State each year on procurement.
Since the implementation of WAIPS, 484 plans have been received, which committed to an estimated 43,297 WA jobs, including 11,944 in regional Western Australia.
More than 2,800 apprenticeships and traineeships are supported by WAIPS, including 986 in regional areas.
Under WAIPS, prospective suppliers are required to submit participation plans that outline their commitments to employment and involving local businesses in supply opportunities.
Once a contract has been awarded, the approved participation plan is incorporated into the contract of the successful supplier to ensure they deliver upon their commitments to local industry. The successful supplier is required to report on the fulfilment of their plan.
WAIPS is an evolving strategy and is reviewed and updated annually to ensure that it continually adapts to a changing procurement environment, whilst meeting the objectives of the WA Jobs Act.
In November 2020, the McGowan Government announced further improvements to WAIPS to maximise opportunities for local businesses.
For more information, visit: http://industrylink.wa.gov.au
As stated by State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook:
"The WA Government spends an estimated $30 billion per year on procurement and we want to provide every opportunity for local businesses to share in this work.
"WAIPS is an important part of our economic plan to strengthen and diversify the WA economy and create more jobs for Western Australians.
"This is the first time a WA Government has effectively managed local industry participation in public sector procurement through legislation, evaluation and reporting.
"Supporting more than 43,000 jobs in less than three years shows the WA Jobs Act is working, creating opportunities for local businesses, apprenticeships and jobs."
