Diversity and Inclusion Award shines spotlight on IPS’s Track to Success Program

Photo: Kristy McKenzie, Aboriginal Participation Manager (left) and Jackie Graham (right), Executive Lead for Workforce Transformation.

IPS Management Consultants is proud to have won the 2025 NAWIC WA Award for Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion for their Track to Success Program.

The Track to Success program is a whole-of-system employment pathway that transitions people from prison into sustainable jobs in WA’s rail and construction sectors.

Delivered in partnership with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, WA Department of Justice, CAT5, Iron Training Consulting and Workskil, the program is designed to remove barriers to participation and ensures a safe transition into real and sustainable jobs.

A key innovation of this program has been the deliberate inclusion of women, including those in a maximum-security facility. IPS advocated strongly for the inclusion of a women’s facility and worked closely with partners to navigate the complex custodial requirements.

It is the first of its kind to be delivered in a maximum facility and has opened pathways to women where they have historically been excluded, which highlights the importance of creating greater equity and access to employment in the industry.

This recognition is testament to the impact that can be achieved when inclusion, innovation, and collaboration are placed at the centre of workforce solutions.

Jackie Graham, IPS’s Executive Lead of Workforce Transformation, said the award validated the organisation’s approach.

“Through the Track to Success program, IPS has worked directly with State and Federal Governments and partners in the rail sector to design solutions that are authentic, inclusive and industry focused.” Jackie said.

“Inclusion means designing a program that understands the barriers to participation, reducing the impact of those barriers and providing individualised support at each stage,” Jackie said.

“Breaking down systemic barriers has been the biggest challenge.”

“The program provides a whole-of-system approach that helps to address these challenges,” she continued.
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“Programs like Track to Success prove that inclusion strengthens industries by bringing talent to the workforce that would otherwise be overlooked.”

Photo: Track to Success participants gaining real-world experience on site.

​The program includes targeted skills training specific to the rail and construction sectors as well as the IPS Thrive program which develops participants life skills.

Mentoring and post-release support are also provided ensuring that Track to Success equips participants with qualifications and confidence. Successful completion of the program leads to a Certificate II  in Rail Maintenance.

A key tenet of the program is preparing employers through supervisor training, a bespoke IPS program that encourages inclusive and culturally safe practices, ensuring workplaces are ready to support participants beyond their initial placement.

Winning this award highlights the importance of partnerships and the need for continued investment to scale impact and ensure long-term program delivery.

For IPS, this award reinforces our role as a trusted partner in solving complex workforce challenges through collaboration, innovation and a commitment to creating better futures.

IPS Aboriginal Participation Manager Kristy McKenzie, a proud First Nations woman herself, said the award signalled that her company’s work is not only being recognised within the industry but also valued by the wider community.

“For me, this was a moment of pride, a reminder of why we do what we do at IPS and that we are making a difference,” Kristy said.

For IPS co-founder Katina Law, a First Nations woman, believes that it was IPS's unique First Nations perspective that led to the successful program and the subsequent recognition via this award.

“IPS's deep community connections mean we understand the barriers to inclusion that disadvantaged people face across Australia."

​As a result, we design our programs to break down these barriers and ensure success.” Katina said.