Local firms sharpen skills to secure major Inland Rail work

MORE than two dozen regional businesses are being given a front-row seat to big industry, with the launch of a specialised Inland Rail development program aimed at helping local suppliers win major project work.

The initiative, delivered through the Inland Rail Skills Academy, kicked off with face-to-face workshops in both Junee and Cootamundra last week, marking the first stage of a multi-month program designed to upskill local business operators and put them in the running for contracts on Inland Rail and other large-scale infrastructure projects.

The Junee workshop gave local businesses a chance to learn directly from high-level procurement experts and industry buyers, including representatives from Deborah Wilson Consulting Services, the NSW Industry Capability Network, regional councils, and tier-one contractor John Holland.

Key focus areas included how to prepare competitive tenders, successfully manage contracts, and build the networks and business structures required to meet the demands of government and industry procurement.

“Local suppliers are incredibly important to the success of the Inland Rail project,” said Stephen Jones, Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability at Inland Rail.

“This initiative is about helping local businesses grow further across all industries in a sustainable manner.”

The 28 participating businesses will now progress through three months of guided online sessions and one-on-one mentoring, before returning for a second round of in-person workshops in October.

Recognising strong Indigenous participation in the program, Inland Rail has also announced a dedicated online workshop specifically tailored to Indigenous-owned businesses.

The program is open to local, Indigenous and social enterprises, as well as new or established small-to-medium businesses located along the Inland Rail alignment — including Junee and the Riverina region.

Since the start of Inland Rail’s construction in New South Wales, more than 400 local businesses have already contributed to the project, supporting an estimated 1,700 jobs across the state.

“We are already impressed with local businesses’ capabilities and what they have delivered for Inland Rail to date,” Mr Jones added.

“This supplier capability development program will help keep those great outcomes on Inland Rail rolling and leave an economic legacy within our host communities well into the future.”

Businesses interested in future rounds can learn more by visiting the Inland Rail website.