Leadership isn’t always about stepping into something fully formed. Sometimes, it’s about seeing what could be, and having the conviction to build it.
For Damien Wragg, that journey has led to being named a winner at the Business News 40 Under 40 Awards, a recognition that reflects years of persistence, calculated risk-taking, and purpose-driven leadership.
“I’m incredibly grateful,” Damien shares. “It’s a reflection of the incredible team around me and the impact we’re making.”
Building a vision with purpose
As Director and General Manager of Trainwest, Damien’s mission is simple but powerful:
to help people move from where they are now to where they want to be.
Whether through workplace health and safety (WHS), leadership development, or vocational training, the focus remains the same, building confidence, capability, and real-world outcomes.
Since acquiring full ownership in 2021, Damien has transformed Trainwest from a small family-run business into a growing force within Western Australia’s training sector.
And the vision doesn’t stop there.
The goal is clear: becoming WA’s Large Training Provider of the Year by 2026.
The turning point that changed everything
Every growth story has a defining moment. For Damien, it came with the 2022 WA WHS legislative changes.
Rather than waiting for demand to emerge, he made a bold move, launching the Trainwest Safety Institute before the market was proven.
It was a calculated risk. One that paid off.
The results speak for themselves:
- Rapid business growth
- An average of 700+ students each month
- Expansion into Africa and the United States
- Partnerships with major organisations including MinRes, Northern Star, and MACA
What could have been uncertainty became a strategic advantage, and a defining moment in the company’s growth.
Scaling with strategy, not just effort
For Damien, success isn’t just about growth, it’s about building systems that last.
That shift meant moving from day-to-day operations to a scalable, future-focused strategy:
- Recruiting ahead of demand
- Structuring teams around “passion zones”
- Investing heavily in digital infrastructure and learning systems
Yet despite the scale, his definition of success remains refreshingly simple:
creating an environment where people have a good day at work.
Challenges that built a stronger leader
Taking over the business came with its share of challenges.
Structural limitations, cultural shifts, and the departure of the original founders created uncertainty at a critical time.
Instead of patching problems, Damien chose to rebuild from the ground up:
- Securing a compliant, future-ready training facility
- Transitioning to scalable digital delivery
- Resetting culture through transparency and strong leadership
These weren’t just operational changes, they were defining moments that shaped his leadership style.
Leadership that creates real impact
At the core of Damien’s leadership are three guiding values:
- Passion & Conviction – because energy drives momentum
- Empowerment – because people deserve meaningful, engaging work
- Trust & Equity – because success is measured by impact, not just profit
These values extend beyond the business itself.
Through initiatives like Choosing Your Way, Trainwest supports remote Aboriginal communities by improving access to literacy and digital skills, opening pathways to education, employment, and long-term opportunity.
It’s a reminder that real leadership doesn’t just grow businesses, it changes lives.
Recognition, and a future still in motion
Winning the 40 Under 40 Award marks an important milestone, but not the destination.
“Leadership can often be thankless,” Damien reflects, “so this recognition means a lot, but we’re not done yet.”
The focus now is clear:
greater impact, continued growth, and achieving the goal of becoming WA’s Large Training Provider of the Year by 2026.
Advice for the next generation of Leaders
Damien’s advice is simple, but powerful:
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Build something meaningful.
But most importantly, bring people with you.
