Wollongong’s industrial sector is experiencing a surge in activity, and with major projects underway locally, the demand for skilled tradespeople, especially boilermakers and welders, has never been higher.
As a significant employer in the Illawarra, Programmed is committed to supporting the region’s workforce needs while continuing to invest in the people who will shape its future. With local talent pools under real pressure, our Energy and Resources team has taken a proactive and balanced approach: meeting customer demand today while continuing to build tomorrow’s workforce.
The challenge
The Illawarra market has been stretched of qualified metal trade talent. To maintain the service and reliability our customers expect, we needed an approach that strengthened our capability without compromising our long-standing commitment to training local tradespeople.
Our approach
Programmed has invested in developing a migration pathway for skilled workers to enter and work, here in Australia. Skilled migration is not a replacement for local training. It is one part of a broader talent acquisition strategy designed to ensure we can deliver for our customers, support industry growth, and uphold safe, high-quality operations.
Our migration pathway project will bring 10 new workers to the Illawarra, and coupled with our apprenticeship program (now with over 40 local apprentices), ensure new skills are being developed and sourced from around the world
As part of this strategy, we identified the Philippines as a strong source of skilled tradespeople who could complement our local teams. The alignment was clear:
- Workers with proven experience working on major projects worldwide
- Strong English proficiency, supporting safe and seamless integration
- Highly transferable skills suited to our workshop and site operations
Programmed also holds Australian Government accreditation to sponsor migrant workers and on-hire sponsored workers when required. This accreditation ensures we bring people into Australia responsibly, ethically, and in full compliance with all regulatory requirements.
How we made it happen
Two years ago, we began laying the groundwork by building partnerships with trusted recruitment and migration specialists in the Philippines. Since then, our process has included:
- Accredited weld testing and skills assessments
- Close collaboration with migration lawyers to ensure correct visa pathways
- Comprehensive onboarding planning and dedicated pastoral care.
Visa approvals can typically take six to eight months, reflecting both the rigour of our compliance approach and the care we put into bringing people safely and responsibly into Australia.
Where we are today
- Two Filipino welders joined our Unanderra Workshop on 1 September 2025
- Eight more candidates are expected to arrive early in the New Year
For us, onboarding is more than paperwork. We provide pastoral care, orientation, and ongoing support to help new team members settle into both their roles and their new community.
A personal perspective
This milestone also carries deep meaning for many within our team, including Cliff Caymo, Project Manager – International Recruitment, who brings lived experience to this work. In his words:
“As a Filipino migrant worker and now a Project Manager in International Recruitment, this moment resonates deeply. Bringing Filipino welders to Australia on valid work visas isn’t just a deployment. It’s a life-changing opportunity for them and their families.
Many of us leave home to create better futures for the people we love. To see my kababayan begin a new chapter with safer conditions, meaningful work, and new possibilities is incredibly fulfilling. Their skills are world-class, and their dreams are valid.”
Cliff’s perspective highlights the human impact behind this initiative and the responsibility we carry in supporting people through such a significant transition.
The big picture
By combining strong local training pathways with carefully selected global expertise, we’re ensuring Wollongong’s industrial sector remains competitive, resilient, and ready for the future. It’s a balanced, responsible approach; one that supports our customers, our people, and the communities we work in.
