With the launch of the 2016 HunterNet Future Leaders Program, HunterNet announced that they are set to expand on the success of last year.
This year’s program was launched on Thursday 28 April 16 at PKF offices on Hunter Street. 85 business professionals attended to hear about the program and welcome this year’s participants.
This year the program includes 30 high potential employees (future leaders) from 23 local businesses with a mix of industries SMEs and large corporations. This is a significant increase in participation up from 20 participants last year.
This year’s sponsor companies include Varley, Port of Newcastle, PKF, NAB, Banlaw, RPC Technologies, PB, Scorpion International, H&M, TW Woods, Westrac, SCHA, Pacific National, ARTC, DSI Underground, Bohemia Interactive Australia, Newcastle City Council, BMT WBM, Laing O’Rourke, Jacobs, Northrop, and Kings Engineering.
Steve Tolley HunterNet Vice Chairman and Chairperson for the Future Leaders Program said it was great to see so many participants and different organisations involved this year.
“These are organisations that even when there is increasing cost pressures are able to recognise that its people and the development of strong leaders that will drive the organisation through tough periods and enable the business to prosper,” Steve said.
“In my view this is how you differentiate a good organisation from a great organisation. These are great organisations.”
The Program launch included a very inspirational speech from Liam Knight of White Knight Foundation. Liam spoke of how he came back from being tragically injured and taught himself to walk again.
“A truly inspirational leader at the age of 20 who provided a great insight into resilience, persistence and goal setting in his strive for ‘greatness’,” Steve continued.
The program is designed to significantly improve participant’s professional network and leadership skills. The program will deliver a step change in skills across business, management and teamwork. 12 interactive sessions are delivered fortnightly by recognised industry practitioners, leading academics and experienced business professionals, across a range of topics that are relevant to business today and into the future.
The program includes a major project that runs over eight weeks where the participants work in teams to apply the practical skills that they have learnt through the course content. The teams are supported by a mentor who is a current industry leader that will guide them in the development of their project solution. The project content has a focus on major infrastructure investment (Road, Rail and Ferry); State and Federal Government policy initiatives in the rapidly changing face of commerce in Newcastle, new industries and greater collaboration globally. The winning team is announced at the annual Gala Dinner.
Photo from 3L photography