Title: Building Foundation Skills at Primo Foods: A SEE Program Success Story
The Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program is a national initiative funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, designed to help job seekers and employees build foundational language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills needed for workplace success. Delivered through Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), the program supports employers to upskill their workforce in ways that are directly relevant to day-to-day operations.
Max Solutions RTO 0667 has partnered with Primo Foods in Chullora, NSW, to deliver a customised SEE Program for their employees. This case study explores how the Workplace-based Training Project was tailored to suit Primo Foods' operational needs, and the impact it has had on staff confidence, communication, and financial literacy.
Why Primo Foods Invested in Foundation Skills Training
Primo Foods recognised the value of investing in their team's development, particularly for employees participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme — a program that enables workers from the Pacific region and Timor-Leste to take up employment in Australia.
"The SEE Program is a fantastic program to give our team members the opportunity to really enhance and better themselves, especially in terms of their future aspirations and set them up for success," explains Monica Radevski, Head of People and Culture at Primo Foods.
Eli Adams, Factory Manager at Primo Foods, elaborates on the company's decision to invest in their PALM employees: "It's about developing the team, giving them the confidence and skills to be able to settle in Australia."
Delivering Training Without Disrupting Operations
The training program ran over 10 weeks in a classroom setting, guided by Max Solutions trainer Maheesha Wijerathna. Working closely with Primo Foods, the training schedule was designed around the company's operational needs rather than adding pressure during peak production periods.
Classes were held on Saturdays, outside standard business hours. This approach ensured:
No disruption to weekday production schedules
No need to backfill roles during training sessions
No impact on output during critical business periods
End-to-End Program Coordination
Max Solutions managed the entire program from start to finish, significantly reducing the administrative burden on Primo Foods' site managers. This support included:
Identifying suitable participants in consultation with supervisors
Managing enrolments and compliance requirements
Organising the trainer and tailoring the program to workplace-specific language and communication needs
Providing regular updates on learner progress without requiring additional reporting from the employer
Training Tailored to the Factory Floor
A key feature of the program was its contextualisation to Primo Foods' specific work environment. Rather than generic literacy and numeracy lessons, employees learned English, literacy, and communication skills directly aligned with their daily tasks, safety processes, and team interactions. This made the training immediately relevant and valuable on the factory floor.
The Impact on Employees
In this video, participants share how the program has boosted their confidence through improved communication skills, strengthening their professional relationships with colleagues and supervisors. They also highlight how enhanced numeracy skills — particularly around budgeting personal finances — have made a meaningful difference in their everyday lives.
About the SEE Program
The SEE Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and delivered by Max Solutions RTO 0667.