Social procurement a top priority during Geelong convention centre construction

Apprentices who have faced multiple barriers to employment are taking centre stage at the Geelong convention site, as all levels of government spruik the job opportunities stemming from the $456m project.

Pre-employment participant Ali Ahmed, right, with his mentor Nick Powell in front of works being undertaken to build the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre. Picture: Alison Wynd.

Having overcome a multitude of barriers to work, Ali Ahmed will soon be one of 12 apprentices helping build the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.

Mr Ahmed moved to Geelong from Pakistan in 2013, unable to speak English at six years old.

“It was a struggle but eventually I learned,” he said.

“I went to school at Western Heights College and have been working at ‘Maccas’.”

Mr Ahmed is completing a 12-week pre-employment course at Gordon TAFE through the convention centre’s early engagement social procurement program.

He will then move on to an electrical apprenticeship.

“I want to start my own business one day,” Mr Ahmed said.

“This gives me the experience I need and connections I might need later in life.”

Politicians and stakeholders gathered at Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre on Thursday morning. Picture: Alison Wynd.

Nick Powell is an on-site mentor for program participants.

“I think everyone, Ali included, is excited to get an opportunity on a major project like this and get an apprenticeship,” he said.

The convention centre, due to be open in 2026, will cost more than $450m and include event and exhibition spaces, eatery spaces, a public plaza and a 200-room Crowne Plaza hotel.

Aerial view of construction progress at Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre. Picture: Alan Barber

Throughout the build, 28 apprentices who have experienced barriers to employment will complete the program.

The program was co-designed by Development Victoria, Give Where You Live Foundation, social enterprise gforce employment and will be delivered by head contractor Built.

Give Where You Live chief executive Bill Mithen praised the program for valuing social outcomes, as well as physical infrastructure.

“For the first time as far as I am aware in the history of Victoria we have included in tender contracts specific social outcomes that all tenderers had to comply with,” he said.

“Once those contracts have been delivered we have penalties and abatements if those social outcomes aren’t achieved.”

Give Where You Live chief executive Bill Mithen at the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre construction site. Picture: Alison Wynd.

Built construction director Andrew Morgan said the centre was an architectural landmark for Geelong.

“Early works are now complete, bulk excavation is underway and the first tower crane has been installed,” he said.

An additional three tower cranes will arrive onsite in the coming months to facilitate four concurrent construction zones and an associated workforce boom.

“The onsite construction workforce will grow to near 200 by mid-year and 500 by year-end, in addition to Built’s primarily local 50-member project team, creating employment opportunities for skilled locals, as well as job seekers experiencing barriers to work.”

Regional Development Minister Gayle Tierney in front of the works being undertaken to build the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre. Picture: Alison Wynd.

Regional Development Minister Gayle Tierney said the centre was a community investment with more than 1400 jobs supported during construction and 700 ongoing jobs.

“We have ensured our social procurement is top-notch,” she said.

“We have also ensured that the group of people that often find it difficult to secure employment for a range of complex reasons would have the opportunity to work on this site and to build their skills.”

The state government has allocated $423m to the project, the federal government $30m, and Geelong council $3m.

The precinct partnership also includes an initial $120m investment from Plenary Conventions to secure what will be Geelong’s largest hotel, with a further $130m earmarked to create a mixed-use development inside the precinct down the track.

Originally published as Social procurement a top priority during Geelong convention centre construction