Industry Capability Network acts as a conduit between business and industry, helping local companies find work in government, private sector and major projects across Australia and New Zealand. Photo: ICN.
One of Australia’s oldest Commonwealth and state-funded programs turns 40 this year and is celebrating more than $50 billion in wins for small and medium businesses over its lifetime.
Industry Capability Network (ICN) was founded in Victoria in the 1980s with the lofty goal of eventually building a nationwide network that connected buyers to suppliers, and vice versa, across industries.
These days, ICN has a local office in every state and territory. The network has successfully positioned itself as a procurement and supply chain specialist for mum-and-dad businesses, mega-project owners and government bodies alike, but national office CEO Warren Jansen says there is always more work to be done.
“ICN has been bubbling away in every state and territory for four decades now, with the common goal across all jurisdictions to facilitate success for small and medium businesses,” he says.
“We’ve proudly generated more than $50 billion in wins for those businesses.
“We have a big celebration planned in August to recognise the work we’ve done so far and acknowledge everyone who’s been involved in our success. It’s also an important opportunity for us to talk about the future.”
ICN’s 40th birthday event will be held at Parliament House on 14 August, bringing together key stakeholders, government officials, industry leaders, key ICN staff, and small and medium business members.
“We are also launching ‘The Green Report: ICN Past, Present, Future’. It details the work we’ve done connecting projects and businesses since our beginnings and explains our continued relevance as a contributor to sovereign capability and local economies,” Warren says.
“This will be an incredibly important moment for us, one that will go down in our history, and we can’t wait for our supporters to be a part of it.”
National CEO Warren Jansen is thrilled with the progress ICN has made over the past 40 years and looks forward to continued growth. Photo: ICN.
Suppliers and project owners will have plenty of time to connect with industry stakeholders and build relationships in a unique networking setting.
“If you’re a small business owner, you can’t always talk to key decision makers in your industry, for example, members of parliament, about the challenges you’re facing and how you think your industry could be improved,” Warren says.
“Usually, we are the matchmakers – in August, everyone will have the opportunity to connect face-to-face, with peers from all corners of industry.”
Warren describes the event as a key turning point for ICN as the network moves into its next phase of growth and development.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Warren says.
“It’s looking to be two hours of genuine celebration and excitement for the future with the best and brightest of Australia’s business community in support of an organisation that drives industry insights, fosters growth and will work to strengthen global collaboration for decades to come.”
ICN will celebrate its 40th birthday on 14 August from 7 pm to 9 pm in Parliament House’s prestigious Great Hall. Get your tickets on Eventbrite.
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