At IPS Management Consultants (IPS), we are dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through innovative programs that foster sustainable employment and growth.

​The Yaka Dandjoo ready-for-work program has made a significant impact by equipping unemployed and entry-level individuals with the skills needed for long-term careers in the construction industry.

A Transformative Journey
The Yaka Dandjoo program recently celebrated its final cohort of graduates, marking a milestone in our commitment to enhancing employment opportunities. This initiative has provided a tailored, supportive environment where participants can develop not only technical skills but also the confidence necessary for success in their careers.

​With a total of 191 graduates across 13 cohorts, nearly two-thirds of participants have secured employment in the Bunbury Outer Ring Road (BORR) project or entered the broader construction industry.

This achievement is a testament to the program's effectiveness and the collaborative efforts of our dedicated team and partners, in bridging the gap between education and employment.
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Tailored Support for Lasting Change
The success of Yaka Dandjoo can be attributed to a strong collaborative effort involving esteemed group training organisations such as The Apprenticeship and Traineeship Company and Skill Hire.

​These partners played an essential role in delivering structured training and invaluable resources, while the BORR project’s dedicated safety team and project trainers ensured that apprentices not only achieved national qualifications but also gained hands-on experience vital for their roles on the South West's largest infrastructure project. The mentorship provided by site supervisors further enriched the learning experience, allowing trainees to apply their skills in real-world scenarios.

We are excited to announce that members of the IPS team within the South West Gateway Alliance have been awarded the 2024 NAWIC WA Awards in the 'Diversity and Inclusion' category. This recognition underscores our ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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As we celebrate the achievements of the Yaka Dandjoo program, IPS would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Main Roads and the South West Gateway Alliance for helping us turn this vision into reality. Your support has been instrumental in helping us forge pathways towards our company vision of 'Creating Better Futures.'

A prime example of our commitment to leadership development is the recent S2ME Leadership Program. This program brought together 39 supervisors, engineers, superintendents, and functional leads from the S2M Evolution (S2ME) Alliance for a series of workshops held from August to September.

Program Overview
The program kicked off with self-assessments and one-on-one debriefs, allowing participants to identify opportunities for enhancing their leadership capabilities. Throughout a series of half-day workshops, the group explored a diverse range of leadership topics, including:

• Peak performance
• Alignment of values and behaviors
• Whole-brain thinking
• Emotional intelligence
• Adaptive leadership
• Safety leadership
• Unconscious bias
• Difficult conversations
• Coaching and mentoring
• Psychological safety
• Team dysfunctions
• Diversity and inclusion
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Participants also engaged in cross-functional teams, applying human-centered design principles to tackle a series of complex "wicked problems" that the project faced. This collaborative effort has already resulted in significant positive changes and greater alignment among all teams involved.

Outcome:
This talented group of civil construction leaders is now well-equipped to navigate the complexities of their project, which aims to enhance connectivity for many people in the inner northern suburbs of Perth.

Participant Feedback:
Here are some reflections from participants:

• “I now have a better understanding of myself and how I think as a leader.”
• “It was great to meet people from the wider team and work together to solve common problems.”
• “I loved the tips on having difficult conversations.”
  
  

To learn more about S2M Evolution Alliance, visit: https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/projects-initiatives/all-projects/metropolitan/Stephenson-Avenue-Extension/
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