Marlyn “Muz” Soulakelles: inside the mind of a no-nonsense leader driving real results

PeopleIN is championing an initiative that would support the Australian Government in expanding ADF recruitment eligibility to Pacific Islanders - strengthening defence ties and workforce capability. Our proposal has been submitted and we are actively engaging in discussions across multiple levels of government to explore the feasibility of this initiative. We have provided a strategic blueprint and pathway case study that outlines how this expansion could be implemented effectively. Drawing on our expertise as Australia’s largest employment provider under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, we offer a sustainable recruitment model built on proven processes and sovereign capability. KEY COMPONENTS OF OUR STRATEGY - Co-designing recruitment pathways with Pacific governments to secure their support. - Benchmarking against 5-Eyes nations to implement best-practice solutions and mitigate risks. - Launching a Pilot Program with PNG, targeting long-term benefits for both countries. - Drawing on global military recruitment expertise, including British Gurkha and ADF remote testing models. How it works - Pacific Islanders would serve in combat and non-combat roles (engineering, logistics, mechanical trades, etc.). - Service terms could be four years, with an option to return home with new skills or continue serving with a pathway to citizenship. - After service, they would then return home with new skills and experience that contribute to local economic development. - Recruitment standards would be calibrated for optimal enlistment rates, ensuring readiness across all three ADF services. In developing this recruiting strategy, PeopleIN has also extensively considered and developed plans to mitigate risks, including: - Fast-tracking medical, psychological, and security screening to eliminate known ADF recruitment bottlenecks. - Maximising enrolment through targeted marketing and engagement. - Ensuring cultural support and preventing ‘brain drain’ for a sustainable pipeline. Next steps We’ve delivered our recommendations to the JSCFADT (Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trad) inquiry and Australian Government’s pre-budget submission, urging a 2025 business case and implementation plan in partnership with Defence and industry stakeholders. PeopleIN is not just advising - we’re building the framework to make this happen.

GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND - JOEL KASS

“It was just going to be a little job for a couple of months, when I first came back from overseas”. 14 years ago Karlee Berg began her career with Tribe Workforce Solutions as an Administration Assistant. Today, after performing every role in between (and often more than one at once!), she’s now the General Manager. “I trained as a beauty therapist and I'd been working overseas, as the day spa manager on cruise ships. It’s a hectic lifestyle and I was pretty burnt out when I got home and needed a break,” Karlee said. “I think I'd only been back in the country for a month and a friend, who was working with AWX (another of PeopleIN’s brands), said the directors had started this new business, focused on the hospitality sector. They didn’t have admin or account staff, just a general manager, and people from AWX were just jumping in to help where they could.

Five years after commencing his recruitment career with PeopleIN’s labour solutions business AWX, today Johan Thomas is an Account Manager with an enviable record of success. From international student, to junior recruiter, to today being an essential part of AWX’s Melbourne team, Johan says it’s the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others which has motivated his professional growth. "The most enjoyable part of my job is helping people” Johan said.

Ian HealyAustralian cricket legend​“Heals” played 119 Test matches for Australia and is one of our greatest ever wicketkeepers. We sat down to ask him about being part of an extraordinarily high performing team and how he uses what he learned behind the stumps in his post playing career.Watch it here

Amy Chapman

Vu TranFounder of Go1 and

Matt Galton DSC Former Director General, Capital Facilities and Infrastructure for Defence In his former role Matt was responsible for a multi-billion dollar budget and the team who managed Defence infrastructure. We challenged him to answer three questions about managing large numbers of people, large budgets and engaging contractors to deliver a broad variety of projects. Watch it here

Landcare Australia’s Project Hindmarsh in rural Victoria has been a labour of love for many but, for one member of our Timberwolf Planting team, it’s literally been a lifelong commitment.Last week a revegetation project which began nearly 30 years ago was completed, with the final stage of a largely volunteer based project delivered by PeopleIN’s contract tree planting business. And, for Regional Manager for Victoria, Sally Werner, it was a deeply personal experience.In 1996, Project Hindmarsh

Joel FitzgibbonFormer Minister for Defence and AUKUS Forum ChairHon. Joel Fitzgibbon GAICD joined us to answer three questions about relationship building in the Indo-Pacific, recruitment to support the growth of defence infrastructure in northern Australia and the opportunities presented by the AUKUS Agreement to Australian business.Watch it here

David HanhamCEO of the Queensland RedsThis year one third of the Queensland Rugby Union (Queensland Reds) Super Rugby squad have Pacific Island heritage.We invited Reds CEO David Hanham to take on our 3IN3 challenge and answer three questions about the value and the joy PI players bring to organisations, clubs and communities across the country.Watch it here