WOOLGOOLGA TO BALLINA
Protech supplied a high quality workforce to the Pacific Highway Bypass and Upgrade project from 2015 – 2020. With a job site radius of over 200 km, Protech utilised over 400 employees, keeping a consistent workforce of around 250 people. The project was the final link in the Pacific Highway between Hexham and the Queensland border, which has now been upgraded to four lanes of traffic.
Protech’s Apprentices & Trainees
Over the five year project, more than 20 trainees – with the majority being Indigenous – completed their traineeships on site as part of Protech’s Apprentices & Trainees program. These trainees benefited from working on a large project and were supported and mentored by Protech Account Managers every step of the way.
Committed to making positive changes across Australia, Protech collaborated with NSW TAFE, based in Grafton, to engage Certificate III Civil Construction trainees to participate in the project. This allowed trainees to gain practical experience and continued the upskilling of the Woolgoolga to Ballina workforce.
In addition to these trainees, a large part of the project necessitated highly skilled employees. There were over 300 Plant Operators, structural personnel and highly skilled labourers engaged for the project, achieved through Protech’s certification and recruitment process.
Committed to BeSafe
Throughout Protech’s involvement with the project, over 755 safety activities were run. Their focuses were varied and comprehensive, and all were designed to promote safe, professional workplace practices, encouraging all field employees to BeSafe. The activities included:
- Toolbox Talks
- Site observations with the client
- Site safety checks
- Job starts
- Employee well-being sessions
- Employee-client safety interactions
Over the five year project, Protech proudly maintained a strong safety record, a testament to the continued dedication to workplace safety. Injury management assistance was also provided throughout the project to ensure correct recovery protocol was followed, prioritising the continued wellbeing of Protech employees.
Local Engagement Using Co-Create
This project involved a number of key client stakeholders including:
- CPB Contractors
- Seymour Whyte
- BGC
- Golding Contractors
- Bielby Hull Albem
- BMD Constructions
- SEE Civil
- Acciona
With an extensive number of key stakeholders, Protech’s Co-Creation methodology was implemented for the project. Clients were consulted at length, and using Protech’s wealth of industry expertise, the perfect candidate for each job was found. Based on the clients’ needs, Protech also implemented several programs to streamline and assist in the staffing of the project. Indigenous work-ready training and traineeships were implemented to maximise the upskilling of the local community, with Indigenous employees comprising 12% of the total workforce.
Protech also used referrals from VTECs, print media, and community locals to deliver high-quality people for every stage of the project.
Dedicated Protech Account Managers meant that clients could rely on responsive ongoing support for site visits, injury management, issuing PPE, or managing payroll queries. In addition to assisting Protech employees, Account Managers were also available to resolve any questions or issues a client may have each day. These services are just another part of Protech’s commitment to deliver a seamless employment process.
the Protech Co-Creation Process
Protech also offers the Co-Creation solution, which provides exactly the workforce the client requires. This bespoke service involves working closely with clients to consider their specific needs, then organising a high-quality, reliable team perfect for their project.
The Outcome
Protech has been able to deliver many successful employment programs throughout the Pacific Highway Bypass and Upgrade project, including Civil Blue Collar Labour Hire, Civil White Collar Labour Hire, New Entrant Traineeships, Indigenous Traineeships, Indigenous Work Ready Programs, and Contract Professional.
With Protech’s professionalism and industry-leading initiatives, a wide range of quality people were employed to deliver the Pacific Highway Bypass and Upgrade project, aligning with the purpose to be a positive influence in people’s lives.