Thinking outside the box has resulted in REMONDIS Australia boosting skilled worker numbers via a training program that provides opportunities for long term unemployed people.

REMONDIS’ Industrial Services Pathway was launched at the company’s specialised liquid processing plant at Henderson south of Perth last month.

The conclusion of the three-week program has seen ten recruits, nine men and a woman, receive intensive hands-on training and obtain industrial services tickets and licences across areas including health and safety, high pressure water jetting, forklift operation, gas testing and working at heights and in confined spaces. The workers are also obtaining Heavy Rigid (HR) truck licenses.

The program guarantees longer-term employment, with participants staying on in full-time capacities for at least 12 months. That involves initially being buddied with experienced operators so participants meet competency and compliance requirements to obtain full operators’ licences.

The program was conceptualised and delivered by Gnalla Enviro, an Aboriginal owned and managed company specialising in commercial and industrial waste. Not-for-profit employment services provider Workskil Australia was pivotal in supplying the trainees.

The program was endorsed by REMONDIS Australia WA Industrial Services Manager Steve Tunbridge.

“The skills shortage is so severe that trying to find workers through advertising and word-of-mouth is often futile,” Steve said.

“So we thought let’s tailor-make a training program ourselves and develop skills that match our needs.

“The intensive three-week training is just the start. The program leaves the door open for full-time employment and mentoring, enabling each participant to take their skills and qualifications further.

“In a very short timeframe we’ve produced a fresh cohort of workers champing at the bit to contribute and grow. It’s a win for each worker and a win for the skills-starved industrial sector.”

Gnalla Enviro CEO Jason Collard said the program was run through the organisations training arm called Gnalla Biddi.

“’Biddi’ means ‘pathway’ in the Noongar language, and that’s what it is – a pathway for Indigenous or disadvantaged workers into the workforce,” Jason said.

“We’re enabling a ground-level start for people who might have experienced things such as unemployment and isolation.

“We know from experience that many people in these situations shine with the right opportunity.

“Beyond skills and employment, this is about human-connection, teamwork, purpose and passing knowledge down the line. These are life-changing leg-up’s that mean everything to the individuals and send positive ripples across the community.” 

One of the trainees, Damon Cotton, said the pathway had turned his life around.

“Workskil Australia told me about the program and since joining I haven’t looked back,” Damon said.

“I’ve gone from being unemployed to working a minimum of five days a week with overtime options.

“I’ve achieved tickets and licences I never thought I would or could obtain.

“The support and encouragement from everyone involved has been great, leaving me feeling that I can have a long-term future in the industrial services sector.”

REMONDIS said it was looking at running similar programs at Henderson or across its many other divisions nationally.