Jobs, Skills and Industry Participation
Latest JSIP Bulletin (November 2023)
What is Jobs, Skills and Industry Participation?
As part of the Regional Rail project, we are building a new train maintenance centre in Dubbo - named Mindyarra - to stimulate the regional economy and help create sustainable job opportunities and skills, both directly and through subcontractors and supply chain.
There are opportunities for businesses to tender for work with consortium partners and their subcontractors to deliver the new maintenance centre and support ongoing maintenance activities.
The Jobs, Skills and Industry Participation (JSIP) program aims to develop the skills of local small to medium enterprises, helping them tender more successfully for this and future projects.
Developing the skills base in Regional NSW is key to achieving JSIP priorities, providing employment pathways including roles for apprentices, trainees, graduate placements and work experience opportunities.
JSIP objectives
Image
Image controls:
The Regional Rail project is providing opportunities for people and businesses in regional NSW.
The Jobs Skills and Industry Participation (JSIP) team focuses on three key areas which reflect relevant NSW Government policies and programs, including the Aboriginal Participation in Construction (APIC) Policy and the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program.
With an estimated 200 jobs required during construction and 50 ongoing jobs during the maintenance phase, the project provides opportunities for long term employment as well as skills development.
The development of transferable skills from one project phase to another, and onto other projects in the region, can support long term job prospects for regionally-based people. Employment pathways include roles for apprentices, trainees, graduate placements and work experience on the project.
Aboriginal employment is a key focus area for the Project, reflecting the NSW Government’s commitment to promoting the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of Aboriginal people. Around 15 per cent of the people living in the region identify as Aboriginal compared to a 2.9 per cent average across NSW.
JSIP Approach
We established a JSIP Advisory Group and Aboriginal Working Group in 2018, which includes representatives from Federal, State and local government.
The Groups provide advice and support to Transport for NSW and Momentum Trains to help deliver JSIP priorities and outcomes.
The Aboriginal Working Group members have links to Aboriginal communities in and around Dubbo, and focus on achieving meaningful outcomes for Aboriginal peoples.
The JSIP Advisory Group members provide links to lessons learned on other projects and focus on achieving meaningful outcomes for local and regional businesses.
Image
Image controls:
Image
Image controls:
Pre-employment programs
The JSIP initiative has developed and delivered Pre-Employment Programs which prepare local people for jobs, either at the Mindyarra Maintenance Centre in Dubbo or with local businesses.
The six-week programs include both accredited and non-accredited content, and have been delivered by registered training organisation Dubbo Traffic Control and ATAC.
Content has included General Construction White Card, Working at Heights, Working in Confined Spaces and Plant Operating Tickets. Along with these accreditations, the programs include modules in resume writing, interview preparation and budget management.
Participants celebrated their completion of the most recent program with a graduation ceremony in December 2021.
All participants were successful in securing positions with local employers, including at the Mindyarra Maintenance Centre.
Image
Image controls:
Tender Writing Workshops
Regional Rail has partnered with iclick2learn, a Dubbo social enterprise, to facilitate workshops designed to help regional businesses prepare successful tender submissions for work on large scale projects.
Covering the tender submission process, terminology and context, and how to address criteria, the two face-to-face and one online workshops equipped businesses with skills they can use not just on the Mindyarra tenders, but for other future NSW Government infrastructure projects, to support long-term job prospects for regionally based people.
iclick2learn, has now developed Tender Writing videos to guide small businesses through the tender writing process.
Read the Tender Writing Workshop Case Study including attendee feedback.
Tender Writing Workshops are part of the Regional Rail Project Business Support Catalogue.
Image
Image controls:
Get Tender Ready
In this video, we talk about how to get tender ready, types of procurement approaches, develop your tender toolkit, how to find out about tender opportunities, and more.
Image
Image controls:
Understand Tender Requirements
In this video, we talk about how to make sure you fully understand the requirements of the tender process and how to fulfill them.
Image
Image controls:
How Tenders are Assessed
In this video, we talk about how your tender will be reviewed and assessed.
Image
Image controls:
How To Address Tender Questions
In this video, we talk about the best way to consider and address tender questions for the best results.
Image
Image controls:
Consider Competitors and Contractors
In this video, we talk about how to best review your competitors and their ability to fulfil tender requirements in comparison to your business and how to make the most of your capabilities.
Image
Image controls:
Analyse your Proposed Solution
In this video, we talk about how to review your proposed solution to the tender requirements to maximise your chance of success.
Image
Image controls:
How to Write a Strong Response
In this video, we talk about how to write the strongest response to tender requirements.
Image
Image controls:
Strengthen Your Response
In this video, we talk about how to refine your writing style to best match the requirements of the tender.
Key Documents
JSIP Bulletin
Each quarter we’ll provide an update on JSIP activities on the Regional Rail
Project.
Bulletins
Business Support Catalogue
The Business Support Catalogue provides information about programs and grants for small to medium enterprises to help build capability, capacity and develop their employees’ skills.
Resources
Other useful information
Program brochures
For more information, please email jsip@transport.nsw.gov.au.
For businesses and suppliers interested in procurement opportunities available on the Regional Rail Project, please visit ICN Gateway to view project-related work packages or to submit an expression of interest Regional Rail Project - Depot (icn.org.au)