Growing Mackay region s professional capital: sustainability through collaboration a case study: Engage Mentor Program

Transcription

1 Growing Mackay region s professional capital: sustainability through collaboration a case study: Engage Mentor Program Program Managers Maree Franettovich Robyn Collins Mackay 2018

2 A place-based leadership approach growing place-based leadership capacity developing and retaining local professional talent

3 learning to stay NOT learning to leave

4 CQUniversity in-place CQUniversity s School of Business and Law has a number of goals, one of which is to empower staff, community, business and industry to interact and build partnerships that will provide mutually beneficial outcomes that ultimately support the development of sustainable communities. (Professor Lee Di Milia, Dean, 2017)

5 CQUniversity in-place Regional University Campuses, as universities in-place have the potential to take entrepreneurial to the next level harnessing different types of knowledge and relationship, innovating according to the particular attributes of particular places. (Allison & Everson, 2008) Mackay

6 Capitalise on local assets The Opportunity CQUni: Australia wide University on doorstep University students: regional untapped resource Business sponsor: reputation corporate citizen Business community: collaborative relationships Shared purpose: stronger together What does it look like to STAY?

7 Program Sponsorship The Engage Mentor Program enhances learning opportunities, career aspirations, and ultimately the future employability of those students. (Rowan Munro GM RioTinto Hail Creek, 2017) By partnering with CQUni to deliver the Engage Mentor Program we are continuing to build the skills capacity of our region; this in turn benefits not just the resource sector but also a wide range of other industries.

8 The Engage Mentor Program Focus on community capacity building, positioning students to become future business leaders who ultimately will remain (or return) to live and work in this region. Connect students of School of Business & Law with experienced business professionals Develop employability skills & industry knowledge Focus on personal growth to enhance career prospects & enable workforce transition Ignite in students a passion to excel in business Provide opportunity for region s business professionals to develop regional capacity

9 The Framework 2017 & 2018 (February November) Eligibility Criteria Applications: students (Mentees) & business (Mentors). Selection & Matching Process Formal agreement: dedicated Mentee/Mentor min 5 meetings Handbook: performance criteria; tools & resources Suite of Professional Development & Business Masterclasses Check-ins with Program Managers Launch & Celebration Events Feedback Survey

10 ENGAGED COLLABORATION (Franettovich & Collins, 2017) Our Model

11 What made it work? 1. Champions: Program Managers 2. Business Sponsor: Relationship Reputation 3. Established Collaborative Place Uni Students Business 4. University in-place: Independent Agency

12 Professional Development & Masterclasses

13 Professional Development Hail Creek Team & Site Visit 2017

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15 Results Year 1

16 PD session: most beneficial Mentees Results Year 1 Developing and protecting your professional brand Step up your Career Savvy Career Development Forum Mentors Developing and protecting your professional brand Professional networking Job applications Transition to work

17 Achievements & Key Learnings Year 1 Mentee skills development Mentee advocacy Tailored PD Mentor advocacy Program reputation Mentees - jobs in discipline learned to stay Year 2 (in-progress) Repeat business!! Mentors Mentee advocacy Adapt Program Management Tailored PD Program reputation Transferability University in-place: leverage learned to stay

18 Finding my place It was a huge honour to be part of the Mentor Program; not only did it teach me some valuable employment information but also it developed my confidence in conducting myself. Having a mentor that is linked to the Mackay Region gave me an insight into their lives and helped me in developing professional working relationships. (2017 Mentee Cody Vella (work in progress))

19 Finding my place I am enjoying every aspect of the job. It s great to be able to reflect on what I studied at Uni and be able to put it all into practice. Every situation is a learning opportunity and I am enjoying every second of it. (2017 Mentee, Megan Brunker) She stayed!

20 Less difficult than expected Mentee enthusiasm Business sponsorship High calibre Mentors Professional generosity More difficult than expected Mentee dynamic (Year 2) Hands off v Hands on (Year 2) Resourcing The model for transferability

21 2018 Launch Event

22 Nice surprises Year 3 Engaged sponsor - advocacy Continued sponsor - change of ownership Mentees - work in discipline Reputation momentum Just want to be part of it!

23 GROW the PROGRAM Where to NEXT? EXPAND: Engineering Digital Media Professional Communication + Business Accounting Law MENTOR COHORT: Advocacy & Diversity MENTEE ALUMNI: informal mentoring TECHNOLOGY: more effective e-resources REGIONAL TRANSFERABILITY & LEVERAGING Collaborative place: NEXT opportunity?

24 Take Aways 1. AUSPICING AGENCY: Universities in-place ideally positioned to engage with regions; lead economic & social innovation initiatives; champions 2. AGILE: Mentor Program Bespoke & Tailored to region. 3. TRANSFERABILITY: What is key to success for the Program in next place?

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26 learning to stay