sustainability through collaboration a case study: Engage Mentor - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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

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

‘learning to stay’ NOT ‘ learning to leave ’

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)

CQUniversity in-place Regional University Campuses, “as universities in-place … have the potential to Mackay 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)

The Opportunity Capitalise on local assets  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?

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 .”

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

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

Our Model ENGAGED COLLABORATION (Franettovich & Collins, 2017)

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

Professional Development & Masterclasses

Professional Development Hail Creek Team & Site Visit 2017

Results Year 1

Results Year 1 PD session: most beneficial Mentees  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

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

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) )

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.” She stayed! (2017 Mentee, Megan Brunker)

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

2018 Launch Event

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!

Where to NEXT?  GROW the PROGRAM  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?

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?

‘learning to stay’