At CPB Contractors, developing industry capability is about more than delivering projects. It's about creating opportunities for people to learn, grow and share knowledge across our business and the broader ACS Group.
One person helping bring that commitment to life is Josje Gerlag, who recently joined CPB Contractors' National Defence team on a six-month secondment from HOCHTIEF, CIMIC Group's parent company and one of the world's leading engineering-led infrastructure groups.
Josje's secondment demonstrates how collaboration across the ACS Group creates opportunities to share knowledge, build capability and accelerate professional development.
Prior to joining CPB Contractors, Josje worked as a Junior Project Manager with HOCHTIEF Netherlands, working across several areas of the business, from project finance through to asset management.
Her involvement in HOCHTIEF's European Defence Strategy introduced her to CPB Contractors' Defence team and ultimately led to the opportunity to undertake a secondment in Australia.
"I saw it as a unique chance to gain international experience, learn from another leading contractor within the ACS family and better understand what it takes to deliver Defence projects," Josje said.
Learning from a different market
For Josje, the secondment was a natural extension of what initially attracted her to HOCHTIEF.
"One of the reasons I chose HOCHTIEF at the start of my career was because of the international character of the company," she said.
"Being able to experience a different market environment and work with people from diverse backgrounds has been a huge benefit. Defence is a rapidly growing sector globally, and gaining insight into how CPB Contractors approaches and delivers major projects at scale has been a highlight of the experience."
Throughout her placement, Josje gained exposure to Defence tendering, project delivery and stakeholder engagement, working alongside leaders across the business to better understand what it takes to deliver major Defence projects from initiation through to handover.
"My goal was to better understand how CPB Contractors approaches Defence tenders and how they operate within the Defence sector," she said.
Bringing teams together
As one of Australia’s largest contractors, CPB Contractors has a long-standing commitment to developing industry capability through projects, partnerships and training initiatives. International secondments like Josje’s play a key role in building capability across the ACS Group, enabling the exchange of knowledge, experience and innovation while developing future industry leaders.
One of the highlights of Josje's secondment was being involved in a live Defence tender with the NSW & ACT Business Unit team.
"Seeing how all the different teams and disciplines within CPB Contractors come together to develop a successful tender was incredibly rewarding," she said. "It really completed the circle of my secondment."
While there were differences between the Australian and Dutch markets, Josje found many similarities in workplace culture.
"One of the biggest differences is the geographical spread of projects in Australia and the planning and logistics involved in delivering work across such large distances, particularly when working in remote locations," she said.
She was also impressed by CPB Contractors' focus on collaboration, client relationships and broader project outcomes.
"The emphasis on local industry participation, social value and community outcomes really stood out to me," she said. "It's something that plays an important role in both tendering and project delivery."
Looking ahead
As she returns to the Netherlands, Josje says the experience has broadened her perspective on the construction industry and strengthened her understanding of the Defence sector.
"Before my secondment, my focus was mainly on a single project," she said.
"Now I have a broader, more strategic understanding of both the construction industry and the evolving Defence landscape."
Outside of work, Josje embraced the Australian lifestyle, making the most of weekends and travel opportunities to explore destinations including the east coast, Exmouth and Sydney.
"If you have more time, I'd definitely recommend a road trip along the east coast or to Exmouth," she said. "For a city trip, Sydney is amazing during summer because you get the best of both worlds, with the city and beach life close by."
Her advice for anyone considering an international secondment is simple.
“Just do it - don’t be afraid to ask bold questions, meet new people and learn from different ways of working. An international secondment is not only a professional growth opportunity, but a personal one too.”
For Josje, the secondment delivered more than professional development. It provided new perspectives, valuable connections and the opportunity to experience life and work on the other side of the world.
