Overview:

In 2025-26 RDA Goldfields Esperance (GE) launched the ‘Lead Local’ program to strengthen leadership capability, enhance workforce resilience and support community organisations across the region. The program empowers emerging and existing leaders by addressing gaps in people management, compliance, wellbeing and strategy, directly supporting workforce development, attraction and retention.

Response: 

RDA GE engaged Simone Pickering (The People & Culture Office) and Kylie McLerie (Collective Culture Consultancy) to co-design and deliver a suite of nine workshops in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and two in Esperance, using flexible formats (full-day, half-day and Lunch and Learn) to maximise participation. Topics ranged from recruitment and multigenerational teams to psychosocial hazards, strategy and workplace culture.

Program Highlights: 

The program was delivered within the $15,000 budget, equivalent to approximately $104 per registration, with all workshops provided free of charge to remove the cost barrier for small employers and not-for-profit organisations.

A total of 144 registrations were recorded across the eleven sessions averaging thirteen registrations per workshop.

Three sessions reached or exceeded maximum capacity, with ‘Hire Smarter, Lead Stronger’ oversubscribed at 22 registrations, and ‘Leadership That Connects’ and ‘Psychosocial Hazards and Wellbeing’ both filling to 18, reflecting concentrated demand for leadership and compliance-adjacent content.

Outcomes and Achievements:

• Workshops rated 4.88/5 overall, with perfect 5.00 scores for facilitator knowledge and presentation (plus 100% of attendees would recommend this training and want more sessions to be conducted).
• The sessions promoted improved leadership and workforce capability, particularly in people management and communication.
• Increased participation of women, Aboriginal professionals and emerging leaders were also key features.
• Strengthened collaboration between RDA GE, the session facilitators, and the community organisations that participated have been key benefits from these sessions.

Benefits and Key Learnings:

• The sessions helped to build a pipeline of skilled local leaders and supported Aboriginal economic participation.
• Regionally tailored training delivered by local facilitators was proven to drive higher engagement and immediate workplace application.
• Participants preferred practical, interactive sessions over theoretical content.