Having generated 50+ Aboriginal upskilling positions since 2020 across electrical, mechanical and construction industries, engagement and participation with local Indigenous communities is embedded into the DNA of Baldja. This, coupled with the combined experience and capabilities of Resource Services Group, Kardan Construction and Wilco Electrical brings a unique solution to clients.
In addition to commitments around creating employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Baldja commits 10% of all project profits to a separate fund.
This separate fund is used to support wellbeing, upskilling and training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at Baldja. Furthermore, this fund may be accessed to support the following examples but not limited to, tool purchases, costs associated with urgent travel home to Country for family and community related matters, and assistance with housing and other social and emotional wellbeing support. We are acutely aware that simply providing an apprenticeship is only half the story. Fostering and consistently nurturing a healthy, respectful, and culturally safe company culture is critical to an apprentice’s success.
A proud Whadjuk-Yued Noongar descendant of the Shaw mob from his father’s side. Being offered an electrical apprenticeship was a defining moment in Frank's life. He started as an apprentice and his technical skill, managerial ability, and leadership aptitude saw him move quickly from electrician, to site supervisor, to project manager then into co-owner and director of Wilco Electrical.
From the age of 12 to 24 Frank battled drug addiction, is a survivor of suicide, lost two best friends to drunken car crash (age 16) and suicide (age 19). Determined to pay forward the same kind of opportunities and experiences that transformed his life, in November 2016, Frank made a pledge to create 20 electrical apprenticeships by 2020 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women. In December 2020, Frank and his team had generated 23 Aboriginal employment positions for which 14 were electrical apprenticeships. The remaining were traineeships in construction and admin due to Frank cofounding Kardan Construction in 2019. As of November 2024, 27 Aboriginal electrical apprenticeships have been created.
Wilco has now grown to 40+ employees and Kardan 90+ employees. In 2020, Frank cofounds and directs Baldja (which translates to ‘Standing United’ in Nyoongar). A Joint Venture between Wilco, Kardan and Resource Services Group. RSGx turns over $200M annually and has 500+ employees nationally expanding both Wilco and Kardan’s project capabilities. As of November 2024, Frank and his teams have created over 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples skills-based employment positions in the electrical and construction industry.
Baldja was created with the vision of providing meaningful employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with targets set to provide apprenticeships and sustainable work within the energy, infrastructure and resources sectors. It was important at the outset for the Baldja team to set ambitious objectives to truly ensure that we make a difference within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia, and with this in mind, 10% of all profits derived from business activities and projects within Baldja will be set aside to provide our Aboriginal team members the best chance of succeeding in their chosen careers.
I am very proud to have the opportunity to partner RSGx with Wilco Electrical and Kardan Construction, both established Supply Nation certified companies. Allowing RSGx to enhance its service offering, whilst maximising the benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in a clearly measurable way, is an ideal way to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in which we work.
Baldja engaged and commissioned inspiring NFP organisation, Art vs Depression (AVD). AVD uses art as a platform to encourage and empower those most at risk in our community and helping break down the stigma around mental health.
Gracie, a proud Māori man from AVD, partnered with Jonica Sullivan, a proud Wongathai woman from Laverton to collaborate on the Baldja art piece. Although now in her 40’s, Jonica has been passionate about painting since she was 19. Baldja director Frank Mitchell and RSGx director Niall Conlon proposed three fundamental aspects for the art piece. A topical view of Balingup (Frank’s hometown), a topical view of Dublin Hills (Niall’s hometown) in Ireland, and a topical view of the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) for which Baldja’s office resides close by.
Gracie and Jonica harmonised and complemented one another to bring the three aspects together in their own Aboriginal and Māori artistic styles.
"I remember sitting with my mother, a strong Indigenous artist who shared her story many times throughout her life and taught me to do the same. For me, being able to paint brought great joy to me and brought great honour to my family. This helps our culture live on as we pass down our stories and knowledge from family to family and to our grandchildren and friends.
I have had an amazing opportunity to collaborate with Gracie from AVD who brought coffee on a daily basis to Collective Hope – House of Hope where my journey began through a conversation. Gracie asked me to collaborate with her on this new platform which was a dream come true for me. I had an opportunity to tell my story to a wider group of people in a collaborative way. Following the painting which took a few months to complete, I was invited to an unveiling of our art work and I was able to talk to those in the room about my culture and what it meant to me and looking at the painting it was an amazing piece of work that came together so well."
