The Martu Business Development Unit, funded by Newcrest Mining and Cameco Corporation, should give indigenous Australians in the Western Desert the training and opportunity to branch into the mining sector.

Launching the unit in Newman yesterday, Minister for Resources and Energy Martin Ferguson said it was an outstanding example of the economic and social benefits partnerships with the resource industry could offer Indigenous communities.

"Newcrest and Cameco have partnered with the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation on this project, including an initial commitment of $5 million," Ferguson said.

"We see indigenous Australians benefitting from this with indigenous employment in the Pilbara being higher than in other regions of the state."

"The record level of activity in our resource and energy sectors is creating jobs, across a range of skill levels and skill sets."

The staff at the Martu Business Development Unit should provide practical advisory services on aspects on management, training and launching start-ups.

Ferguson said the activity would create business opportunities including the supply of goods and services to major projects, and ranging from cleaning and catering to engineering and construction.

"The new business development unit will support more Martu people to set-up and operate their own enterprises to take advantage of the contracts on offer," Ferguson said.