The Wesfarmers Indigenous Leadership Program is a ground-breaking initiative which aims to develop a generation of new Indigenous business leaders from across the Group.

The program was launched in 2022, because despite the Group regaining Indigenous employment parity, Indigenous team members remained under-represented in senior roles.

The program aligns with the Group’s strategic focus on career progression for Indigenous team members, consistent with the Wesfarmers Elevate RAP.

Wesfarmers partnered with the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre (AILC) to deliver the program, which to date has enabled 103 Indigenous team members from across the Group to embark upon a Certificate II or Certificate IV in Indigenous Leadership.

The 12-month program is focused on building personal, cultural and professional leadership capacity. It provides practical management training through a blended learning model that includes challenging, fun and hands-on experiences. The program includes online and face-to-face training modules, with participants receiving monthly one-on-one and tutorial group support, and is aligned with existing divisional leadership programs.

Of the Indigenous team members who have participated in the program, 42 have graduated, securing a Certificate II or Certificate IV credential.

To date, 24 per cent of participants have been promoted or secured expanded roles; and through the program the Group has retained 96 per cent of participants in ongoing employment within Wesfarmers’ businesses.