 This year, as IPS marked a decade since our founding vision, we also delivered on what that vision set out to prove: that a First Nations-owned consultancy can lead change and create opportunities at a national scale. A defining highlight of the year was IPS being recognised at the 2025 AHRI Awards for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy. IPS was also honoured to win the 2025 NAWIC WA Award for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion, recognising the impact of our Track to Success program and reinforcing that culturally grounded workforce initiatives can deliver at scale. The awards are an important endorsement of what our clients see day to day: strategy that is culturally grounded, practical to implement, and designed to deliver measurable change. It also reflects a wider truth that our work is about changing systems while staying accountable to community and purpose. At Connect 2025 at ICC Sydney on 20 and 21 August, IPS joined more than 270 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, reinforcing the scale and momentum of First Nations commerce nationally. At the event, Supply Nation revealed new research that showed First Nations businesses generated $42.6 billion in annual social value and that every dollar of revenue produces $3.66 in positive economic and social value. This finding reinforces the value of IPS’ business model, built around culturally grounded, outcomes focused consultation and delivery. In 2025, IPS’ growth was reflected not only in our delivery but also in our national footprint and reach.
Our website attracted more than 17,000 unique visitors and 41,000 unique page views over the year, supporting greater visibility of our services, insights and impact stories. Across LinkedIn, our page recorded 52,964 views and achieved a 14.1 percent engagement rate, signalling strong audience interest in the work we are doing. Underpinning that momentum is a national team of 64 staff, enabling IPS to support clients across states and sectors with specialist capability and local knowledge. Looking to 2026 We move into 2026, with a growing national team, stronger platforms, and a continued commitment to equity and opportunity, including pathways to ownership and leadership within IPS. To our clients, partners, communities, and team members: thank you for your trust, your challenge, and your collaboration. If your organisation is planning for 2026 and needs support across programs, consulting, workforce transformation, leadership development, or First Nations advisory, drop us a line here.  IPS Management Consultants has welcomed Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) specialist Ethan Kelly Akee to its team, strengthening its work supporting organisations to deliver meaningful, community-led reconciliation outcomes.
A proud Nhanda, Wangkatha and Meriam man, Ethan brings close to a decade of experience across local and state government, where he has led reconciliation, truth-telling and community engagement initiatives at scale. Ethan said IPS’ values and track record were central to his decision to join the organisation. “IPS was already doing the work in this space,” Ethan said. “I could see the impact they were having with organisations and communities, and that was something I wanted to be part of.” At IPS, Ethan works with organisations developing and delivering RAPs, with a focus on practical action, shared responsibility and strong leadership commitment. He describes his role as bridging workplaces and community - a responsibility he approaches with care. “Before any title, I’m an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man,” Ethan said. “That comes with an obligation to do this work properly, respectfully and in a way that supports real outcomes.” Ethan has delivered RAPs for large and complex organisations, including Stretch RAPs and the State Library of Western Australia’s first Reflect RAP. He has also contributed to national initiatives such as One Day in Fremantle. He said leadership support was critical to the success of every RAP he had worked on. “When leaders are engaged from the start, implementation works on the ground,” he said. “That commitment makes a real difference.” IPS supports organisations at every stage of their RAP journey, from early conversations through to implementation and delivery. With Ethan joining the team, IPS continues to strengthen its capability to support organisations that are serious about reconciliation. Contact IPS today to discuss your Reconciliation Action Plan aspirations. 'Almost Guaranteed a Job’: Inside the Prison Rail Program Breaking the Cycle of Re-offending12/12/2025
 Twelve prisoners at Wooroloo Prison Farm graduated last Friday, from a 11-week railway training program designed to address skills shortages while creating a clearer pathway away from re-offending.
The IPS Track to Success initiative, now in its fifth intake, delivered both Thrive life skills training and accredited qualifications in a Certificate II in Rail Maintenance and brought together mentors, stakeholders and industry representatives including, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Workskil and CAT5 company for the graduation event. The program won the 2025 NAWIC WA Award for Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion in October. Iron Training Consulting Railway industry trainer and instructor Grant Carr led the course, combining practical and theory-based learning. The training included units in laying railway sleepers, rail fastening systems, heat and cut materials using oxy LPG, and critical communications in the rail industry. Track to Success is first of its kind in Western Australia to be delivered in an all-male and all female facility and reflected IPS capability in building scalable, cross sector solutions. One prisoner said the support offered during training had been exceptional. Others spoke highly of the Thrive program and how it developed their much-needed confidence. All prisoners showed appreciation for Thrive for bringing everyone together and providing a network of support both inside and outside of prison. “Grant is a great instructor. He even shares his phone number and helps us get employed outside,” he said. Another prisoner, a repeat offender, said the program had reshaped how he viewed custody and his future. “This time, jail is a very different experience. I’ve learned resilience and the ability to get back up,” he said. The graduation also marked a symbolic shift for participants, who traded prison uniforms for work attire for the duration of the program and the graduation ceremony. Jackie Graham, IPS Executive Lead for Workforce Transformation said the change was more than cosmetic, offering a psychological boost and reinforcing a sense of identity tied to work and responsibility. “It’s not just about jobs. It’s about breaking cycles and creating new pathways,” Jackie said. “We need a whole of systems approach for something like this to work.” Acting Superintendent Callum MacNeill acknowledged that the qualification carried an obligation to help the broader society at large. “You have a responsibility to family, society.” “Take this as a new journey for you and your family,” Mitchell said. Assistant Director of Prisoner Employment Programs and Transitional Services, Larry Smith said demand for skilled workers in the economy remained strong. “Many employers have indicated they need skilled workers.” “There are hundreds of jobs available now in the mining sector and in the metro area where lots of rail is being upgraded,” Larry said. “This means the prisoners would almost be guaranteed a job when they’re released.” “And this is crucial to reducing the risk of re-offending.” Track to Success is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations as a Work Specialist Program and is run in partnership with several training and employment agencies. If your organisation would like to explore how Thrive could support your workforce, book an appointment with the IPS team here.  IPS Management Consultants has been named the winner of the 2025 Australian HR Institute’s (AHRI) Award for Best Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategy, recognising its ground-breaking Strategy work performed with Tier 1 client organisations. The 2025 AHRI Awards celebrate HR professionals and organisations leading innovation, driving impact and redefining the workplace culture across Australia. IPS has developed strategies to help enable organisations to provide meaningful pathways for First Nations people, women, youth and the long-term unemployed. The programs which IPS build are co-designed and often use a blend of accredited qualifications, industry placements and culturally safe mentoring to build confidence, resilience and long-term employability. IPS Co-Founder Damian Chalk, who accepted the award in Melbourne said: “This recognition reinforces the strength of our approach across IPS, from workforce strategy and organisational development to community engagement and cultural advisory.” “Our clients trust us to deliver an end-to-end capability which helps organisations transform their workforce, strengthen their culture and achieve meaningful, measurable outcomes with inclusion embedded as just one part of a much broader solution.” “We call this the IPS Way and we embrace a whole of system approach which continues to serve us and importantly our stakeholders well.” IPS Co-Founder Katina Law said the win highlights the successes the organization continually enjoy with their valued clients and promotes IPS’ position as a national leader in DEI-driven workforce transformation. “This national recognition further strengthens IPS’s position as a trusted leader in DEI and workforce transformation, demonstrating how our integrated approach is shaping the future of inclusive workforce and community outcomes across Australia,” Katina said. |
