As part of our commitment to social procurement, the M80 Ring Road Completion (M80RR) project has launched a business administration traineeship program designed to provide meaningful employment opportunities for priority jobseekers while building valuable capability across project teams.

Following a recruitment drive at the Watsonia Hub in late 2024 where more than 200 applications were received from priority jobseekers, 60 applicants were invited to an information session in Bundoora.

Attendees included individuals from a wide range of priority jobseeker groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, young long-term unemployed, people with disability, mature-age workers and ex-offenders.

After a comprehensive assessment process, 22 applicants progressed to formal interviews. From this group, 15 were offered traineeship placements across a several business areas, including digital engineering, procurement, sustainability and stakeholder engagement.

M80RR subcontractors and Aboriginal businesses, HDF Fleet and A2B Consumables, offered 3 valuable trainee placements.

HDF Fleet is hosting a young school leaver in a business administration traineeship, while A2B has welcomed 1 trainee into a warehouse and logistics role, as well as 2 return- to-work mothers who are job-sharing a traineeship. In addition, 2 more placements have been created through a partnership with social enterprise Social Engine, focused on hospitality and service roles on site.

The program commenced early in March with a 2 week onboarding and induction program. Designed to prepare trainees for the workforce, the induction covered practical skills, mental health support, and workplace readiness. A strong focus was placed on building confidence and creating a supportive learning environment.

“Being given guidance and tools with the induction courses helped to set us up for success,” shared one trainee.

With learning contracts, individual needs assessments, and team mentoring in place, the program supports both trainees and their host teams, with ongoing check-ins ensuring they are set up for long term success.

The traineeship program is a great example of how social procurement can create meaningful pathways into the workforce, benefiting people, businesses, and the broader Victorian community.

Find out more about the M80 Ring Road Completion project.