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By HARRY CLARKE
A FORMER resource industry worker and National Native Title Tribunal trainee as been appointed to the newly created role of Indigenous Business Connector for Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE).
Ashley Williams, originally from Brisbane, has extensive experience in making and managing connections within the resources, infrastructure, and government sectors
As Indigenous Business Connector, Williams’ role will be to assist the growth of First Nations businesses across the region. He will be work from Toowoomba and Chinchilla as part of TSBE’s new initiative.
“Initially I will be mapping Indigenous businesses in the region and collaborating with them to see what the gaps might be in their business models, such as their website, or marketing for instance,” Williams said.
“Then my goal will be to connect these businesses to agencies that can provide free services to assist businesses with networking and sourcing opportunities.”
After growing up in Brisbane, Williams (pictured) completed a traineeship with the National Native Title Tribunal before securing a job with Arrow Energy.
Williams’ role at Arrow involved working with Indigenous groups. His interest in that field developed further when he worked at the Australian Rail Track Corporation as an Indigenous Participation Advisor.
“I loved the work I was doing with Inland Rail and when the job at TSBE came up it gave me a greater opportunity to pursue that work across a bigger region,” he said.
“I just love seeing how I can help Indigenous businesses, advocate for them, and look for networking opportunities.
“As the Indigenous Business Connector I can talk to the business owners one-on-one and create relationships where they feel comfortable with someone they trust and can understand their specific requirements.”
One business Williams is currently working with is Magnitude Pipelines and Construction, established 12 months ago by Keegan Brooke as an emerging Indigenous contractor from the Yuwaalaraay Nation.
The company provides project management, fabrication and installation in the mining and construction sectors and develops training and development pathways for young Indigenous workers.
With an ultimate goal of building a fully indigenous team, Brooke (pictured) said he believed there were tremendous business benefits to be gained from working with Williams and TSBE.
“One of the things I’ve learned throughout my years in business is that it’s not always about what you know, but who you know,” Brooke said.
“Accessing the necessary contacts and information is so important when you are trying to get established, tender for jobs, training staff – getting those things right allows you to create a business model that can work moving forward.
“Ash – and all of the TSBE team – will be able to help us with that.
“I get great personal satisfaction from seeing businesses like this succeed – it really puts a smile on my face.
“It can be a jungle out there in the business world, and I understand the hurdles and can help to create a sense of safety, confidence, and self-belief.
“And I have seen first-hand what can be achieved when you give people opportunities, and work with them to build strong relationships.
“I really hope to see a lot of businesses like Magnitude do well and I’m not the only one who is excited about what it could ultimately mean.
“The companies I liaise with, as well as councils and other levels of government, are so excited to see the growth of businesses which may help to meet the significant employment needs in this region.”