An innovative partnership between an indigenous business owner and two disability enterprises has won a major State Government contract that will create a diverse range of new jobs in Perth's northern suburbs.
Kardan Construction, collaborating with disability enterprises Intelife and Workpower, won the three-year facility maintenance contract at Alkimos Beach and Alkimos Vista following a competitive tender process.
The contract, valued at more than $800,000, was awarded by Alkimos project partners DevelopmentWA and Lendlease and will provide employment for indigenous people, local businesses and people with disability.
The win follows the formation last year of a joint venture partnership between the Western Australian Disability Enterprises (WADE) - an alliance of eight disability enterprises including Intelife and Workpower that employ more than 2,200 people - and Noongar businessman Frank Mitchell, owner of Kardan Construction and Wilco Electrical.
The partnership was formed to create more work and training opportunities for a diverse workforce and pursue joint procurement projects from the Government and private sectors.
The alliance between Kardan, Intelife and Workpower allows DevelopmentWA and Lendlease to work with local businesses while maintaining their commitment to safe and efficient work practices across their project sites.
As stated by Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"It's great to see Intelife and Workpower's partnership with Kardan Constructions come to fruition and the creation of new opportunities to keep the disability workforce engaged.
"There are valuable flow-on effects that come from creating local jobs and this contract highlights the capacity of disability enterprises to service the community.
"I hope this social procurement outcome will open more doors and equate to more jobs for people with disability into the future."
