Upon receiving the news about the upcoming project, Employer Relationship Coordinator Craig Ryan immediately moved to organise opportunities for local job seekers. This began with sending Amanda Koloski to attend the Walking in Two Worlds program in Peak Hill. During the session, participants learned all about job opportunities on the solar farm, the onboarding process and the Women in Solar mentoring program. The session created significant excitement and interest among participants. Craig maintained constant communication with Chandler Macleod, providing regular updates to the Sureway team, allowing Employment Consultants to prepare participants and build momentum ahead of the project.

In June, community information sessions were held in Parkes and Peak Hill to give residents the opportunity to learn more about the solar farm and the jobs available. Sureway staff attended in their own time as well as round 15 Sureway participants.

Following discussions with Chandler Macleod’s Account Manager and National Solar Manager, Sureway identified a major barrier: transport. Many participants from Peak Hill had no reliable public transport or driver’s licences. Knowing buses were planned for Parkes workers, Sureway staff proposed running a bus service from Peak Hill. Chandler Macleod agreed that if enough interest was shown, it would be possible to have workers arrive together by bus.

Sureway Staff worked together to build a detailed tracking spreadsheet to manage referrals and the onboarding progress of participants. Across the region, 87 participants from WAES and IEA from Parkes, Peak Hill, Orange, Forbes, Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo were referred. All staff went above and beyond to assist with applications and medical questionnaires. Their efforts paid off as 42 participants progressed to interviews.

One of the main requirements for employment on this project was WHS Construction White Card. Sureway Skills Training organised and invited both job seekers and members of the public to undertake a white card course to assist participants to meet these requirements. This training ensured that residents were ready not only for the solar project but for future construction and civil opportunities.

Craig also worked with Chandler Macleod to organise a Women in Solar mentoring program, which was delivered from the Peak Hill office. Six women attended the program and of those, 5 went on to secure employment. Three achieved 26-week outcomes (all Indigenous women). Two achieved 12-week outcomes, including one Indigenous participant.

Participants were supported through every step of the process, accessing the Employment Fund for essential work items such as steel cap boots and PPE.

Craig also worked closely with Greg Walsh to support employers through 20 wage subsidy agreements, including 18 WAES and 2 IEA placements.

Providing Post Placement Support presented unique challenges. The solar farm had limited mobile reception, and workers were often on long shifts. To maintain support Craig stayed in regular weekly contact with Steve Johnson from Chandler Macleod. Sureway also organised site visits so Employment Consultants could meet participants face-to-face during their break times.

For some participants, the opportunity represented a life-changing return to work. One participant had been unemployed for 836 weeks, while another had been unemployed for 706 weeks before gaining a role on the project. 10 participants have already moved into further employment using the experience and skills gained on the project.

To continue building on this success, the Peak Hill office is now organising a 4-in-1 Civil Construction course, which will include training in Skid Steer, Front End Loader, Roller and Telehandler. This training will give participants additional machinery tickets and open even more employment opportunities in the civil construction and infrastructure industries and in turn work towards changing lives across the region

At its peak, one third of the Chandler Macleod workforce on site were Sureway clients, a powerful reflection of the dedication of staff across the region. The teamwork, dedication, and commitment to supporting participants ensured the solar farm project delivered more than just jobs, it delivered confidence, opportunity, and new futures for people across the Central West.