It is well established that Western Australia’s regions punch above their weight when it comes to contributing to both state and national economies.

While just 25 per cent of WA’s population lives outside the metropolitan area, roughly 40 per cent of the State’s GSP comes from its regions. 

Underpinning this regional prosperity is the rich opportunities that have been realised over time, particularly given the vast natural resources across the state.

Taking advantage of these opportunities though requires a skilled workforce, and while we’ve seen a fly-in, fly-out culture take hold, it’s the regions that foster local employment opportunities and a strong community fabric where the regional economies really thrive.

Across the south of Western Australia for example, regional hubs with a strong community fabric have developed around the port towns of Albany, Bunbury and Esperance.

Southern Ports has recognised its influence and strength across its regions and continually looks at how it can deliver opportunities to drive local employment and skill development and build community capability. 

^{One of the mooring teams at the Port of Esperance. Photo: Southern Ports} 

Southern Ports CEO Keith Wilks said that delivering regional skill and employment opportunities is vital for regional development. 

“Four in five of our employees are based across the southern regions, with 40 per cent of our workforce based around our Port of Esperance, making us a leading employer in the town which has an estimated labour force of roughly 5,400,” said Mr Wilks. 

“Examining the Port of Esperance closely you quickly find it’s not just a gateway to global markets, but a regional employment hub beyond our own employees,” he said. “You’ll find regional employment opportunities ripple through truck drivers, stevedores, rail crews, tug operators and a variety of contractors frequently passing through our port gates and along our connected supply chains as far away as Wiluna West.”

^{Iron ore stockpiles prior to export. Photo: Southern Ports} 

“And we know there are a lot of potential projects which immediately become more viable once they are linked to our ports,” Mr Wilks said.

“Moving bulk commodities by sea often proves the most-cost effective option, so the less time and money spent moving them by road or rail can lower a project’s operating costs and drive the opportunity for profit. 

^{Vessel movement at Port of Esperance. Photo: Southern Ports} 

“Investors will look more closely at job-creating projects across the region simply because of the gateway to global markets provided by the Port of Esperance.

This is not unique to Esperance. Across southern WA growers have been working the land for generations safe in the knowledge that what they produce can reach global markets through Esperance, Albany and Bunbury.

“A key strategic focus of our organisation centres entirely on creating enduring value and enriching our regions,” Mr Wilks said.

“Beyond facilitating trade we do that by ensuring our workforce has access to great training opportunities and by providing pathways for early career development such as traineeships and apprenticeships.”

^{Apprentice Logan Brown at the Port of Esperance. Photo: Southern Ports} 

Over the past decade Southern Ports has supported more than 30 regional apprenticeships and traineeships.  

Boilermaker, electrician and mechanical fitter apprenticeships are particularly sought-after in Esperance because they are a rare chance to learn on the job as part of a sizeable workforce without leaving home.

Similarly, being able to kickstart your career with a business administration traineeship is the sort of opportunity that can lead to remaining in a community rather than relocating hundreds of kilometres away.

“Age demographics of regional areas and towns in Western Australia skews older because of the need to relocate to the ‘big smoke’ in pursuit of further education or more career opportunities,” Mr Wilks said. 

“We know there is plenty of talent in our regions, and there should be opportunities for them to progress without first moving away from friends and family.”

Creating opportunities for regional growth does not stop with investing in its people, Southern Ports is also backing its regional communities to back itself.

Over $400,000 of support for community initiatives is expected to be delivered through its Community Investment Program over the next 12 months.

Then there’s its expanding support of Foodbank WA’s efforts to combat food insecurity across the South West, Great Southern and Goldfields Esperance regions, totalling over $200,000 over the past year.

^{Foodbank WA CEO Kate O’Hara and Southern Ports CEO Keith Wilks. Photo: Southern Ports} 

And the annual Steve Lewis Regional Scholarship, now in its third year, is backing regional talent to create future leaders.

“Our aim is to build lasting partnerships with our communities, the scholarship, apprenticeships and traineeship are all great examples of that because they are about setting pathways for the future.”

Southern Ports’ forward-thinking approach is also setting up wider opportunities for the future.

The most recent WA State Budget includes funding to develop plans for expansion at the Port of Bunbury and early work to establish viability of a new general purpose berth at the Port of Albany.

The key selling point for the Bunbury expansion centres on developing support for advanced manufacturing opportunities in the South West, something that promises to deliver further regional employment and innovative industries. 

“Diversification for the sake of resilience and the for the sake of capacity building is key driver behind our decision making,” Mr Wilks said.

“We continue to invest in delivering opportunities for our regions, knowing our regional communities will prosper as a result.

“Planning for the growth of our ports is no different when it comes to delivering opportunities for our regions to thrive.”