Cleanaway AI
Champions Accelerator
Executive Summary
Pathfindr proposes a 12-week AI Champions Accelerator to build practical, safe, and repeatable AI habits across Cleanaway.
We recommend selecting 90 to 100 champions across business units to participate in a structured program that combines shared capability uplift with role-aligned workflow application. Running alongside the Champions program, a Leadership Track of 2 to 3 sessions will ensure Cleanaway's senior leaders are confident, informed, and leading AI adoption from the front.
"Cleanaway operates in an industry that has significant room for acceleration through AI. With 2,000 white-collar staff and only 80 currently on paid AI tools, there is a large and largely untapped opportunity."
Designed to move fast, manage risk, and build real capability
The program is designed to create momentum quickly by:
- Establishing a consistent baseline of AI capability across all champions
- Enabling peer learning and accountability through cohort huddles
- Providing optional technical support through weekly drop-in office hours
- Equipping senior leaders to model and sponsor AI adoption
- Maintaining a strong delivery partnership through a dedicated AI Adoption Lead
- Concluding with a business-facing Champions Showcase of the top workflows
- Recognising champion capability through a Pathfindr AI Champions Certification
Why Pathfindr
Pathfindr is Australia's leading AI enablement consultancy, recognised as the AFR's Most Innovative Company in 2024 and 2025. We have worked with some of the largest organisations in APAC to build lasting AI capability.
Our methodology focuses on staged rollout and risk management. We don't just train people on tools. We build habits, create accountability structures, and give organisations the workflows and confidence to keep going long after the program ends.
Case Study
Coles Group
Pathfindr partnered with Coles to run a Champions Accelerator starting with 8 executives and 120 champions across 3 cohorts. Extended from 4 to 9 months due to demand.
120
Champions Trained
5,000
Scaling To
9mo
Extended Engagement
"Coles was one of the first Australian companies on ChatGPT Enterprise alongside CBA. The structured approach, particularly the huddle sessions and leadership participation, was key to driving adoption and building lasting AI capability across the organisation."
Introducing your
3 new team members.
Our program teaches champions to work with AI in three distinct modes, each unlocking progressively more value. Think of them as three new colleagues joining every team at Cleanaway.
Team Member 01
The Assistant
Everyday productivity
The team member who never sleeps, never complains, and handles the repetitive work that slows your team down. Email rewrites, meeting minutes, summarisation, and everyday productivity gains.
Typical tasks
Team Member 02
The Thinker
Strategic application
The colleague you wish you could bounce every hard question off. Research, strategy, analysis, and tackling difficult problems with AI as a genuine thought partner for your most complex work.
Typical tasks
Team Member 03
The Creator
Building new outputs
The maker who can build things your team never had the time or technical skill to create. Websites, dashboards, images, videos, and entirely new outputs that used to require specialist teams.
Typical tasks
Our program progressively builds capability through all three modes, so every champion finishes confident working with each of their new team members.
Program Objectives
By the end of the Accelerator, champions will be able to confidently and safely use AI tools in their day-to-day work, and contribute to an internal library of high-value workflows.
Champion Outcomes
- Use approved AI tools confidently, safely, and effectively in day-to-day work
- Apply proven prompting and workflow patterns to real business tasks
- Build, test, and document repeatable workflows that others can adopt
- Share wins, barriers, and learnings in a structured peer environment
- Contribute to an internal library of high-value workflows to scale across the organisation
- Earn a Pathfindr AI Champions Certification upon successful completion
Program Structure & Delivery
12 Weeks | 3 Cohorts | 90-100 Champions
Champion & Cohort Model
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Participants | 90 to 100 champions across the organisation |
| Cohorts | 3 cohorts of approximately 30 to 35 champions |
| Grouping | Champions grouped by similar roles to strengthen workflow alignment and peer relevance |
| Attendance | All champions attend every module. Cohorts are used for huddles and role-aligned discussion. |
Five Training Modules
Our 5-module training program takes staff from initial curiosity to confident, daily application. Each session is practical, role-relevant, and tool-agnostic.
- Attended by all 90-100 champions
- Practical, role-relevant, and tool-agnostic
- Aligned with Pathfindr Academy curriculum
Cohort Huddles
30-minute cohort-based discussions to share wins, barriers, and learning. Designed to build momentum, confidence, and peer accountability.
- ~18 sessions (6 per cohort)
- Breakout groups of 5 for deeper conversation
- Builds peer accountability and shared learning
Weekly Office Hours
Optional drop-in sessions focused on technical help: platform navigation, prompting refinement, workflow troubleshooting, and hands-on support.
- 11 weekly sessions throughout the program
- Optional attendance for all champions
- "How do I do this?" real-time support
AI Adoption Lead
Your dedicated point of contact throughout the program. Coordinates delivery, maintains momentum, manages risks and blockers.
- 12 weeks of dedicated support
- Stakeholder management and coordination
- Engagement tracking and governance rhythms
Champions Showcase
End-of-program presentation of the top workflows developed during the program. Drives internal visibility, recognition, and a clear pathway to scale.
- 60-90 minute showcase session
- Top 8-10 workflows presented
- Showcase deck and curated workflow library
Program Design
Built for Scale
Designed to create momentum quickly and build real capability that sticks across Cleanaway's 2,000 white-collar workforce.
The Curriculum
Our 5-module training program is designed to take staff from initial curiosity to confident, daily application. Each session is practical, role-relevant, and tool-agnostic.
Meet Your Digital Assistant
Get comfortable with your AI tool and understand what it can do for you day-to-day.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the core capabilities and limitations of your AI assistant
- Successfully complete your first real work task using the tool
- Build confidence navigating the interface and getting useful outputs
Prompt Your Way to Success
Learn how to communicate with AI effectively so you get better results, faster.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand what makes a good prompt and why it matters
- Apply prompting techniques to your own role and common tasks
- Move from trial-and-error to intentional, structured prompting
Research & Workspace Mastery
Use AI to find, synthesise, and organise information more efficiently.
Learning Outcomes
- Use your AI tool to research, summarise, and extract insights from documents
- Integrate AI into your existing workspace and workflows
- Save time on knowledge-heavy tasks like reports, briefings, and prep work
Building & Configuring Custom Assistants
Create a personalised AI assistant tailored to your specific role or team needs.
Learning Outcomes
- Build and configure a custom assistant with a defined purpose and persona
- Set instructions, tone, and context so it works the way you need it to
- Understand when and how to use a custom assistant vs. the standard tool
Agents & Automation
Take AI beyond chat — automate tasks and build workflows that run with minimal input.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand what AI agents are and how they differ from standard AI use
- Set up a basic automated workflow relevant to your work
- Identify opportunities in your role where agents could save significant time
Leadership Track: Leading from the Front
Running alongside the Champions program, the Leadership Track ensures Cleanaway's senior leaders are equipped to model, sponsor, and sustain AI adoption across the organisation.
The Leadership Sessions
-
AI as a Strategic Tool — How leaders can use AI as a thought partner for strategy, decision-making, and organisational challenges. Covers deep research agents, email/calendar analysis, and leadership-specific applications.
-
Leading AI Adoption — Practical guidance on sponsoring AI within teams, setting expectations, and creating the conditions for champions to succeed. Addresses governance, risk, and cultural change.
-
Hands-On Application — Interactive session where leaders bring real work challenges and apply AI tools with expert guidance. Builds personal confidence and gives leaders first-hand experience of the value.
Format at a Glance
Sessions
2-3 sessions
Audience
Senior Leadership
Focus
Strategic + Hands-on
Outcome
Lead AI adoption
"At Coles, leadership participation was one of the strongest drivers of program success. When senior leaders are visibly engaged and using the tools themselves, it gives champions permission and confidence to do the same."
SLT Focused
Designed specifically for Senior Leadership Team with practical, relevant, and jargon-free content.
Leaders Only
Closed sessions exclusively for senior leadership. No jargon, frank conversation, and practical application at executive level.
Suggested Cadence
A practical delivery cadence across 12 weeks. This can be adjusted to match Cleanaway's availability and operational rhythms.
Duration
12 Weeks
Fortnightly module cadence
12-Week Program Schedule
| Week | Module | Huddles / Support | Leadership |
|---|---|---|---|
| W1 | Module 1 | Office Hours | Session 1 |
| W2 | — | Cohort Huddles + OH | — |
| W3 | Module 2 | Office Hours | — |
| W4 | — | Cohort Huddles + OH | — |
| W5 | Module 3 | Office Hours | Session 2 |
| W6 | — | Cohort Huddles + OH | — |
| W7 | Module 4 | Office Hours | — |
| W8 | — | Cohort Huddles + OH | — |
| W9 | Module 5 | Office Hours | Session 3 |
| W10 | — | Cohort Huddles + OH | — |
| W11 | — | Cohort Huddles + OH | — |
| W12 | Champions Showcase | Whole group + stakeholders | — |
Fortnightly or monthly stakeholder check-ins with the AI Adoption Lead and program driver run throughout.
Champions Showcase
To close the Accelerator, Pathfindr will facilitate a Champions Showcase where selected champions present outcomes back to the broader business.
Showcase Outcomes
Visibility & Recognition
Make impact visible to leaders and teams across Cleanaway. Recognise champions and reinforce the expected behaviour shift.
Scale & Adoption
Accelerate broader adoption through proven, real-world examples. Provide a clear pathway to scale the best workflows across teams.
Deliverables
Cleanaway's AI Workflow Library
Every workflow documented, every module recorded, and every win captured during the program becomes material that Cleanaway can use to scale AI capability across the organisation.
Showcase Format
- 60 to 90-minute session, virtual or in-person
- Top 8 to 10 workflows presented, validated, and documented
- Showcase deck, summary pack, and curated workflow library delivered
Certification
Champions who meet the completion requirements will receive a Pathfindr AI Champions Certification, recognising their capability uplift and their contribution to building reusable workflows.
Certification Criteria
- Attendance at modules (or completion of agreed make-up activity if a session is missed)
- Participation in cohort huddles to support peer learning and workflow sharing
- Submission of at least one documented workflow that meets agreed quality standards
- Contribution to the end-of-program showcase and/or inclusion of workflow in the final library
Recognition
Pathfindr
AI Champions
Certification
Up to 100 champions certified upon successful completion of the program.
Success Measures & Reporting
We recommend tracking three layers of progress, kept lightweight and outcome-oriented.
Three Layers of Progress
Capability Uplift
Confidence and competence check-ins at baseline and end of program. Completion of agreed champion deliverables including workflow documentation. Custom AI fitness score tracking across frequency, higher-order task usage, and feature breadth.
Engagement & Adoption
Attendance across modules and huddles. Workflow build and iteration rates. Office hours utilisation patterns, which signal friction and support needs.
Value & Impact
Time saved or cycle-time improvements where measurable. Quality improvements and reduction in rework. Qualitative wins and case studies to support internal storytelling.
Reporting Rhythm
The AI Adoption Lead will provide a simple rhythm of updates aligned to stakeholder needs, including transcribed session insights that provide rich qualitative data on how AI is being applied across teams.
Stakeholder Check-ins
Fortnightly or monthly check-ins with the AI Adoption Lead and program driver.
Session Insights
Transcribed session insights providing rich qualitative data on AI application across teams.
Progress Dashboard
Lightweight, outcome-oriented tracking aligned with Cleanaway's reporting needs.
Investment
12-Week Program | Comprehensive Enablement
Total Program Investment
$472,000 excl. GST
Commercial Summary
| Component | Description | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Training Modules | Whole-group capability sessions for 90-100 champions | 5 modules |
| Cohort Huddles | 30-min peer sessions across 3 cohorts (30-35 per cohort) | ~18 sessions |
| Office Hours | Weekly optional drop-in technical support | 11 sessions |
| Leadership Sessions | Dedicated sessions for Senior Leadership Team | 2-3 sessions |
| AI Adoption Lead | Dedicated relationship owner for the program | 12 weeks |
| Champions Showcase | End-of-program whole-of-business presentation | 1 session |
| Certification | Pathfindr AI Champions Certification | Up to 100 |
| Total Investment | $472,000 + GST | |
Assumptions & Scope Boundaries
- Program is designed for 90 to 100 champions, delivered in 3 cohorts
- Modules are whole-group sessions; cohorts are used for huddles and role-aligned application
- Office hours are optional and focused on technical guidance
- Curriculum content confirmed in alignment with Pathfindr Academy and Cleanaway priorities
- All sessions delivered virtually unless otherwise agreed
- Payment terms to be agreed during contract finalisation (milestone-based)
Scaling Beyond Champions
The Champions Accelerator is designed as the foundation for broader AI adoption across Cleanaway's 2,000 white-collar employees and, ultimately, elements of the wider 10,000-person workforce.
Broadcast Training
Live Training at Scale
Live training sessions delivered to larger audiences (hundreds to thousands) on a regular cadence. Combination of business-domain and skill-focused topics, consistently updated as AI tools evolve.
Drop-In Support
Open Sessions for All Staff
Open sessions for hands-on help, questions, and real-time troubleshooting, available to the broader workforce.
Internal Champion Network
Champions as Advocates
Your certified champions become internal advocates and first-line support. They carry the workflows, the language, and the confidence to help their teams adopt AI effectively.
Self-Paced Content
LMS-Ready Materials
Recordings, workflow libraries, and documentation from the Accelerator are packaged for Cleanaway's LMS, enabling self-paced onboarding at scale.
"At Coles, the Champions Accelerator led directly into a 6-month scaled enablement program reaching 5,000 employees. The champion network, workflow library, and leadership buy-in created during the accelerator made the scaled rollout faster and more effective."
Pathfindr Delivers
- Design and delivery of training modules, cohort huddles, weekly office hours, leadership sessions, and the showcase
- Facilitation, assets, templates, and workflow documentation approaches
- AI Adoption Lead for stakeholder management, coordination, and reporting
- Support in selecting, refining, and packaging workflows for the showcase
Cleanaway Provides
- Nominate champions and confirm cohort groupings by similar roles
- Provide access parameters for approved tools and relevant internal guidance
- Appoint a program driver and sponsor to support communications and momentum
- Encourage participation and enable time allocation for champions
Next
Steps.
To move from proposal to delivery, we recommend the following steps.
Step 1
Confirm champion nomination approach and cohort grouping by similar roles across 3 cohorts.
Step 2
Confirm scheduling and delivery cadence. Lock in windows for all sessions.
Step 3
Align on success measures and reporting rhythm. Confirm what good looks like.
Step 4
Mobilise: Onboarding comms, baseline capability check-in, calendar invites, and tool access confirmed.
Step 5
Launch: Commence Module 1 and open weekly office hours support.
Ready to get started?
We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Cleanaway on this program. The waste industry has significant room for AI-driven acceleration, and Cleanaway is well-positioned to lead the way.