In a significant development for Western Australia’s Mid West region, SolveX Indigenous Group has officially launched its specialized labour hire service in Geraldton. This innovative initiative represents a major step forward in creating sustainable employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians while providing local businesses with skilled workers who understand the unique needs of the region.
With this new service, SolveX aims to bridge the employment gap for Indigenous people while supporting the growth of regional businesses.
About SolveX Indigenous Group
Company History and Vision
SolveX Indigenous Group was established in 2024 with a clear mission: to create meaningful employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians while delivering high-quality services to clients across various industries. Founded by a group of Indigenous entrepreneurs with extensive experience in workforce development, the company has quickly built a reputation for excellence and cultural integrity.
The vision behind SolveX has always been to establish a business model that combines commercial success with positive social impact. As Co-founder Virgil Reuben explained during the launch, “We’re not just a labour-hire company. We’re a social enterprise committed to empowering Indigenous communities through sustainable employment and economic participation.”
Indigenous Ownership and Leadership
What sets SolveX apart from many other labour-hire companies is its 100% Indigenous ownership and leadership structure. The company was founded and is managed by a team of experienced Indigenous professionals who understand firsthand the challenges and opportunities faced by their communities.
This Indigenous-led approach ensures that cultural values and practices are embedded in all aspects of the business. As Co-founder Jenna Reuben notes, “Having Indigenous people in decision-making positions means we can create employment models that genuinely respect and incorporate Indigenous perspectives.”
The leadership team brings together diverse expertise across human resources, training, community development, and business management. This combination of skills enables SolveX to develop innovative approaches to workforce development that are both commercially viable and culturally appropriate.
The New Labour Hire Initiative
Services Offered
The newly launched labour-hire service in Geraldton offers a comprehensive range of workforce solutions. These include:
- Staffing for project-based work
- Long-term placements with potential pathways to permanent employment
- Specialized labour-hire services focusing on Indigenous talent
- Workforce planning and development consultancy
- Cultural awareness training for client organizations
- Mentoring support for Indigenous employees
What distinguishes SolveX’s approach is our commitment to ongoing support throughout the employment relationship. Unlike traditional labour hire models that simply place workers with clients, SolveX maintains active engagement with both employees and employers to ensure successful outcomes.
“We don’t just drop our people off at a worksite and disappear,” explains Co-founder Virgil Reuben. “We provide continuous mentoring, check in regularly with both the worker and the client, and address any issues that arise promptly. This wraparound support model dramatically increases retention rates and job satisfaction.”
Target Industries
SolveX’s Geraldton operation has strategically focused on key industries that offer substantial employment opportunities in the region. By developing specialized knowledge and networks within these sectors, they can better match Indigenous talent to meaningful work opportunities.
Construction and Infrastructure
With several major infrastructure projects underway in the Mid-West region, the construction sector offers significant employment potential. SolveX has already established partnerships with leading construction companies working on projects ranging from residential developments to major infrastructure initiatives.
The company has invested in ensuring its workforce has the necessary certifications and skills required for construction sites, including White Card training, Working at Heights certificates, and specialized equipment operation qualifications. This industry-specific preparation enables workers to hit the ground running when placed with clients.
Mining and Resources
The mining and resources sector has long been a cornerstone of Western Australia’s economy, with several operations active in the areas surrounding Geraldton. SolveX has developed specific expertise in meeting the workforce needs of this industry, with a focus on roles including machine operators, maintenance personnel, and site services staff.
“Many of our Indigenous workers come from communities with strong connections to country,” notes Training Coordinator Michelle Sanders. “This connection translates into a deep respect for the land and an understanding of the importance of environmental management in mining operations.”
SolveX has formed strategic partnerships with mining companies committed to increasing Indigenous participation in their workforce, creating pathways that extend beyond entry-level positions to technical and supervisory roles.
Health and Social Care Services
The health and social care industries are vital to Geraldton’s economy, with the region expanding in health care and social demographics. SolveX has recognized the potential for Indigenous employment in these sectors, particularly in roles that benefit from traditional knowledge of hospitality and nursing.
The company has developed specialized training programs that combine modern techniques with traditional Indigenous knowledge, creating unique skill sets that are highly valued by employers in these sectors.
Creating Opportunities for Indigenous Australians
Employment Pathways
At the heart of SolveX’s mission is the creation of sustainable employment pathways for Indigenous Australians. The company recognizes that securing meaningful work involves more than simply matching a person to a job. It requires a holistic approach that addresses potential barriers to employment and provides ongoing support.
SolveX has developed a staged pathway model that supports individuals at different points in their employment journey. For those new to the workforce or returning after a period of unemployment, the company offers pre-employment preparation, including assistance with obtaining licenses, certifications, and essential work gear.
For individuals with some work experience, SolveX focuses on identifying transferable skills and matching them to appropriate opportunities, while providing mentoring to support workplace integration and career progression. For more experienced workers, the company offers pathways to leadership roles and specialized positions.
Skills Development and Training
A key element of SolveX’s approach is our commitment to ongoing skills development. Rather than simply placing workers in entry-level positions, the company actively invests in training and professional development to create pathways to more skilled and better-paid roles.
Customized Training Programs
SolveX has partnered with registered training organizations to develop customized training programs that meet both industry requirements and the specific needs of Indigenous learners. These programs incorporate culturally appropriate teaching methods and recognise the value of traditional knowledge alongside formal qualifications.
The company has established a dedicated training facility in Geraldton, equipped with simulation equipment for hands-on learning. This investment reflects SolveX’s understanding that practical, experiential learning is often more effective than classroom-based approaches, particularly for technical skills.
Economic Impact on Geraldton Region
Job Creation and Local Economy
The establishment of SolveX’s labour-hire service in Geraldton represents a significant economic opportunity for the region. With projections to create new jobs within the first 12 months of operation, the initiative will directly contribute to reducing unemployment rates in local Indigenous communities.
Beyond the immediate impact of job creation, the economic benefits extend to increased consumer spending in the local economy. As SolveX employees earn regular incomes, this money circulates through local businesses, creating a multiplier effect that benefits the broader community.
Co-founder Virgil Reuben highlights this wider impact: “Each new job created doesn’t just change one person’s life, it strengthens our entire regional economy. The SolveX initiative aligns perfectly with our strategy for sustainable economic development in the Mid West.”
Supporting Regional Businesses
For local businesses in the Geraldton region, SolveX offers a valuable solution to workforce challenges. Many regional businesses struggle to attract and retain qualified staff, particularly for project-based work or seasonal operations. By providing access to a reliable pool of local workers, SolveX helps these businesses maintain productivity and meet their commercial objectives.
“Our local knowledge is a major advantage,” explains Business Development Manager Jason Thompson. “We understand the Geraldton market intimately—the seasonal patterns, the project cycles, and the specific skills that local employers need. This enables us to provide workers who are genuinely suited to the regional context.”
The company has already signed service agreements with several prominent Geraldton businesses across social and healthcare businesses. These partnerships reflect growing recognition of the commercial benefits of engaging Indigenous workers through a culturally competent labour-hire provider.
Cultural Connection and Community Engagement
Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge
What truly distinguishes SolveX’s approach is our integration of Indigenous knowledge and cultural practices into their business model. Rather than expecting Indigenous workers to simply conform to conventional workplace norms, the company works with clients to create culturally safe work environments that respect and value Indigenous perspectives.
This approach includes practical measures such as flexible work arrangements that accommodate cultural obligations, recognition of traditional knowledge as valuable workplace expertise, and protocols for acknowledging the country at work sites. These practices not only support Indigenous employees but often introduce valuable new perspectives that benefit the entire workplace.
Community Initiatives
Beyond its core business activities, SolveX maintains a strong commitment to broader community engagement. The company allocates a percentage of its profits to community initiatives, with a focus on youth mentoring, cultural activities, and educational support.
In Geraldton, SolveX has already established partnerships with local schools to provide career information sessions and work experience opportunities for Indigenous students. These initiatives aim to build aspiration and create clear pathways from education to employment.
The company also sponsors community events that celebrate and strengthen Indigenous culture, recognizing that cultural pride and connection are fundamental to well-being and success in all areas of life, including employment.
Future Plans and Expansion
Looking ahead, SolveX has ambitious plans for growth and development. The Geraldton operation represents the first step in a regional expansion strategy, with plans to establish services in other regional centres across Western Australia over the next three years.
The company is also developing specialized divisions focused on emerging industries, including renewable energy and environmental services. These sectors offer significant growth potential and align well with Indigenous cultural values regarding environmental stewardship.
SolveX is also exploring innovative ownership models that could see successful branches transition to community ownership, creating sustainable Indigenous enterprises that generate long-term economic benefits for local communities.
Conclusion
The launch of SolveX Indigenous Group’s labour-hire service in Geraldton represents far more than just a new business opening. It embodies a holistic approach to addressing Indigenous employment challenges while delivering tangible benefits to the regional economy and local businesses.
By combining commercial expertise with cultural knowledge and community connection, SolveX has created a model that transforms the traditional labour hire approach into a pathway for genuine economic participation and empowerment for Indigenous Australians.
As the initiative grows and develops, it has the potential to make a lasting contribution to closing the employment gap for Indigenous people in the Mid-West region. For local businesses, it offer access to a skilled, reliable workforce with unique cultural perspectives and knowledge. For the broader Geraldton community, it promises economic strengthening and greater social cohesion.
The SolveX story demonstrates that when Indigenous leadership and knowledge are centred on business development, the outcomes can benefit all stakeholders. As Co-founder Virgil Reuben summed up at the launch event, “This isn’t just about creating jobs, it’s about creating a new model of economic participation that honours Indigenous culture while building stronger regional communities.”
FAQs
1. How does SolveX Indigenous Group ensure their workers have the necessary skills for client placements?
SolveX invests significantly in skills development and training, partnering with registered training organizations to deliver customized programs that meet industry requirements. The company operates a dedicated training facility in Geraldton and employs a staged approach that combines workplace experience with focused training blocks. All workers undergo skills assessment before placement, and SolveX maintains ongoing mentoring and support to address any skill gaps that emerge during employment.
2. What makes SolveX different from other labour-hire companies operating in the Geraldton region?
Several factors distinguish SolveX from conventional labour-hire providers. First, the company is 100% Indigenous-owned and led, ensuring cultural values inform all aspects of operations. Second, SolveX employs a wraparound support model that maintains engagement with both workers and clients throughout the employment relationship. Third, the company integrates cultural knowledge and practices into their service delivery, creating more inclusive workplaces. Finally, SolveX reinvests a portion of profits into community initiatives, generating broader social impact beyond employment outcomes.
3. Can non-Indigenous workers register with SolveX for employment opportunities?
While SolveX’s primary focus is creating employment pathways for Indigenous Australians, the company does register non-Indigenous workers for certain roles, particularly those requiring specialized skills. The company maintains a commitment to Indigenous employment as its core mission, with targets for Indigenous participation across all client contracts. Non-Indigenous staff working with SolveX receive cultural awareness training and are expected to contribute to the company’s mission of creating culturally safe and inclusive workplaces.
4. What types of businesses can benefit from SolveX’s labour hire services in Geraldton?
SolveX provides workforce solutions across multiple industries, with particular expertise in construction, mining, agriculture, hospitality, and community services. The company works with businesses of all sizes, from large corporations with substantial workforce needs to small enterprises requiring occasional casual staff. SolveX tailors their service to each client’s specific requirements, whether for short-term project-based staffing or long-term placements with pathways to permanent employment. Businesses particularly suited to partnership with SolveX include those committed to increasing Indigenous participation in their workforce and those requiring workers with connection to and knowledge of the Mid-West region.