The Inland Rail Skills Academy is partnering with Deborah Wilson Consulting Services to facilitate a ‘Pathways to Opportunities’ capability development program for businesses within the Beveridge to Albury – Tranche 2 section in Victoria and Illabo to Stockinbingal section in New South Wales.
The program, which will run between July and October, will help regional businesses understand how to engage with buyers, prepare competitive tender submissions, and manage contracts for work on major projects and within regional supply chains.
How will you benefit?
If you’re committed to taking your business to the next level, this program will:
- help you understand the capabilities and compliance requirements expected by major project buyers
- improve your skills and capabilities to be a competitive supplier
- assist you to be compliant with buyer requirements
- ensure your business is prepared for procurement processes and managing contracts
- improve your profile with, and access to, local, regional and project buyers.
How does it work?
The program runs over three months and includes two workshops. Each workshop is interactive and includes presentations from buyers and business advisory experts, a panel discussion and networking. As participant numbers are capped, participants will need to commit to both workshops.
Workshop locations and schedule
Note: participants must attend both sessions. Workshop invitations and venue locations will be confirmed upon acceptance into the program.
New South Wales program
- Cootamundra
- Workshop 1: Tuesday 5 August 2025, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Workshop 2: Tuesday 14 October 2025, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Junee
- Workshop 1: Wednesday 6 August 2025, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Workshop 2: Wednesday 15 October 2025, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
Victoria program
- Benalla
- Workshop 1: Tuesday 29 July 2025, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Workshop 2: Tuesday 28 October 2025, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Broadford
- Workshop 1: Thursday 31 July 2025, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Workshop 2: Thursday 30 October 2025, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Euroa
- Workshop 1: Wednesday 30 July 2025, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Workshop 2: Wednesday 29 October 2025, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
Program eligibility
The program is open to:
- local and Indigenous businesses and social enterprises
- new and established businesses
- small to medium enterprises.
Priority for inclusion in the program will be given to businesses in project construction industries located within the following Local Government Areas:
- Benalla, Vic
- Cootamundra-Gundagai, NSW
- Junee, NSW
- Mitchell, Vic
- Strathbogie, Vic
- Temora, NSW.
Register your interest
Please complete the form below to register your interest in this program. If you require assistance, please contact irsuppliers@artc.com.au.
Businesses who have registered interest will be contacted by Inland Rail and informed of the outcome of the registration and next steps.
Supplier Capability Development Program – Registration of Interest Form
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Mark Cunningham, Applied Building and Grounds Maintenance, Wagga Wagga said:
“The great thing about the Albury to Parkes Program was the clear advice on how major projects operate – and what they expect from suppliers.
Meeting the buyers, hearing their views, and getting the tools to improve our capabilities was a fantastic boost. I wholeheartedly recommend the Inland Rail Program to local suppliers.”
Andrea Dunstan, CA, of Albury Quarries Pty Ltd said:
“The Inland Rail Albury to Parkes Program was invaluable for building our tendering skills. The tools and advice from the Program have been fantastic and helped change our mindset about targeting opportunities. We now know what we have to provide in tenders and know how to ‘beat our own drum’ and explain the value we deliver. I highly recommend the Program to other businesses – it has helped us better target and win new work.”