Business community gathers for Yahava catch-up | Photos

The Margaret River Business Network (MRBN), in partnership with the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association and Tourism WA, hosted a vibrant Connect event last week to celebrate the success of the Margaret River Workforce Ready program and the region’s growing commitment to high-quality, industry-led training.

Held at Yahava KoffeeWorks, the evening brought together businesses, program participants, training partners, and community leaders to acknowledge program achievements and to share insights on future workforce development priorities.

Guests were treated to an authentic Italian menu from Sons of Naples, traditional desserts from Krissini Bakery, beautiful blooms by Bark & Blooms, and a premium wine selection from Edwards Wines.

A panel of industry experts including Dr Leah Clearwater (MRWine Academy), Kellie Tannock (Walk Talk Taste MR), Harriet Stocker (Yahava), and Sharna Kearney (MRBTA) shared their perspectives on hospitality, tourism, and the importance of delivering training grounded in local culture and context.

“The goal of this program has always been to equip our local workforce with the knowledge, confidence and cultural understanding to deliver truly exceptional visitor experiences,” said MRBN boss Annie McFie. “We’re proud to offer training that responds directly to what our businesses and communities need, while still aligning with statewide tourism objectives.”

The program has seen strong uptake from businesses looking to up-skill staff, with sessions in customer service, barista skills, wine knowledge, and tourism experiences receiving strong feedback.

With support from Tourism WA, the program will expand in 2025 with a new career-focused format to be trialled later this year.

The MRBN thanked delivery partners, funding body Tourism WA, MRBTA, and its volunteer board for their continued support in developing locally relevant, industry-driven training solutions.