Building Careers, Growing Businesses and Strengthening Western Australia's Mining Industry

Some recruitment companies measure success by the number of calls they make.

Gold Road Personnel measures success by the relationships they've built.

It's a simple philosophy, but one that has shaped the business from day one.

Founded by Directors Chris Vanderwoude and Alana Casillo, Gold Road Personnel specialises exclusively in recruitment for Western Australia's mining industry. Together, they bring decades of recruitment and operational experience to the business, combining deep industry knowledge with a genuine commitment to long-term client relationships.

While Gold Road Personnel officially launched in late 2025, the relationships behind it have been built over many years through successful placements, trusted partnerships and a reputation for doing recruitment differently.

"We've never wanted to be the cold-calling recruitment company," Chris says.

"For us, it's always been about relationships. Most of our clients come through people we've worked with over the years, referrals and long-standing connections within the mining industry."

That relationship-first approach has already seen Gold Road Personnel partner with a growing number of mining companies across Western Australia, providing both permanent recruitment and labour hire solutions across professional, technical and skilled roles.

Experienced Leadership

Gold Road Personnel is led by two directors whose experience complements one another.

Chris Vanderwoude, Director, has spent almost two decades recruiting within Western Australia's mining industry. His expertise spans permanent and contract recruitment, with a strong focus on building lasting partnerships with both mining companies and candidates.

Alana Casillo, Director and Principal Consultant, brings extensive experience in recruitment operations and business management. Having previously managed the operational functions of established recruitment businesses, Alana now combines operational leadership with hands-on recruitment, ensuring every placement is supported by efficient systems and exceptional client service.

Together, Chris and Alana have built a business where experienced recruiters remain directly involved with clients, rather than stepping away from recruitment as the company grows.

Interestingly, recruitment wasn't Chris' first career.

After graduating from university, he spent several years teaching, including time living and working in the United Kingdom. It was while travelling home through Morocco that a conversation with a former colleague unexpectedly opened the door to recruitment.

Nearly two decades later, that background still shapes the way he works.

Teaching taught Chris the importance of listening, communicating clearly and helping people make informed decisions. Today, those same skills are just as valuable when guiding employers through a complex hiring market or helping candidates navigate career opportunities.

Specialists in Western Australian Mining

One of the first decisions Gold Road Personnel made was to stay focused.

Rather than recruiting across every industry or attempting to service every state, the team has deliberately built its expertise around Western Australia's mining sector.

"WA mining is what we know," Chris explains.

"Every market is different. Understanding what's happening across projects, where companies are expanding and what the talent landscape looks like allows us to give clients much better advice."

That specialist knowledge means clients receive far more than candidate shortlists.

More Than Recruitment.

Recruitment is constantly evolving, particularly within the mining industry where workforce demand can shift rapidly.

Gold Road Personnel works closely with clients to provide practical market intelligence that helps businesses make informed hiring decisions.

That includes sharing salary benchmarking, explaining how competing mine sites may be impacting candidate availability and providing realistic expectations around recruitment timeframes.

"We don't promise we'll have the perfect candidate in a few days if that's simply not realistic," Chris says.

"It's about educating clients on what's happening in the market, setting realistic expectations and keeping everyone informed throughout the process."

Rather than simply filling vacancies, the team becomes a trusted recruitment partner, helping clients understand the wider employment landscape they're operating within.

Despite advances in technology, recruitment remains a people business.

Chris believes successful recruitment comes down to understanding both sides of the equation.

Not only does a recruiter need to understand the technical requirements of a role, they also need to understand company culture, long-term career aspirations and what genuinely motivates candidates.

Communication is equally important.

"People remember how they were treated throughout the recruitment process."

Gold Road Personnel places significant importance on keeping both clients and candidates informed, providing updates wherever possible and maintaining open, honest communication from beginning to end.

That transparency has become one of the company's defining values.

Advice for Mining Employers

When asked what businesses can do to attract quality candidates, Chris is quick to point out that salary isn't the only factor.

"Competitive salaries matter, but they're only part of the equation."

Today's candidates are increasingly researching employers before accepting a role. Company culture, leadership, career progression and workplace reputation all influence decision making.

"The businesses attracting the best people are those that combine fair remuneration with a workplace where people genuinely want to build their careers."

For employers, creating that positive reputation is one of the most valuable long-term recruitment strategies available.

Director-Led Recruitment

One of Gold Road Personnel's biggest points of difference is that Chris Vanderwoude and Alana Casillo remain actively involved in every stage of the recruitment process.

Rather than stepping away from day-to-day client work as the business grows, both directors are committed to remaining hands-on, ensuring clients continue working directly with experienced recruitment professionals who have a genuine personal investment in every placement.

It's an approach that reflects the values Gold Road Personnel was founded on.

Professional advice.

Honest communication.

Long-term partnerships.

Why Gold Road Personnel Chose The Park Business Centre

For Chris, choosing The Park Business Centre wasn't simply about finding office space.

It was about creating the right experience for every person who walks through the door.

"The first impression here is fantastic," he says.

"From the moment you walk in, it's vibrant, welcoming and incredibly professional. Our clients and candidates immediately feel comfortable."

Chris also values the responsiveness of The Park team, knowing visitors are greeted professionally and that he is notified the moment guests arrive.

"It's the level of service that stands out. Everyone is friendly, things happen quickly and it creates a really professional experience."

Beyond the office itself, Gold Road Personnel enjoys being part of a connected business community. Networking events, wellness initiatives and client activities create opportunities to build relationships with other businesses based within the centre.

"We looked at several serviced office providers before choosing The Park, and the difference was obvious. The environment, the presentation and the people made it an easy decision."

As Gold Road Personnel continues to grow across Western Australia's mining sector, we're proud to have Chris, Alana and the Gold Road Personnel team as part of The Park community and look forward to supporting their continued success.

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