Newcastle Airport has received the Employer of the Year (Start Up / Small to Medium Enterprise) Award for its graduate program that provides career opportunities for University of Newcastle graduates.
Presented at the University of Newcastle’s Industry and Employability Awards held on Wednesday 15 November, the award recognises the contribution of employers to the professional preparation of its students, and recognises the investment of industry in strengthening the region’s productivity.
Newcastle Airport CEO, Dr Peter Cock said it was an honour to receive the award for Employer of the Year.
“We are a small business with a big brand, and big ambitions for our region,” Peter said.
“I know we are not alone in our drive to achieve more for the Hunter and our community. The University has many great supporters across business, industry, government and community organisations.
“It is by working together that we will create maximum impact, and a stronger future for our local talent. Working with the University of Newcastle on our graduate program made absolute sense.”
The Airport launched its inaugural graduate program this year. It initially provides three recent graduates of the University of Newcastle with 18 months’ employment in the areas of projects and facilities management, corporate affairs and aviation business development, and finance.
In addition to working in these specialised areas, the graduates will also combine forces to work on a business-specific project. The goal is for them to develop a broad understanding of the business and enhance their skills for future employment.
“Newcastle Airport offers important services to the region, connecting it to the rest of Australia and the world. We have a complex operating environment and an ambitious achievable growth strategy to continue to accommodate forecast growth in passengers and routes,” Peter said.
“This makes us a fantastic place for graduates to start their career.
“For us at Newcastle Airport, we place a high importance on the value of collaboration and are very pleased to be able to partner with a world-class university that is not only known for creating career-ready graduates, but found in our own backyard.”
The successful Graduate Program applicants will commence their positions with Newcastle Airport in December 2017.
The Employee of the Year (Large) accolade was awarded to Regional Development Australia Central Coast, NSW Police, and Central Coast Local Health District while UON Student Central – Student Advice and Hubs was awarded On-Campus Employer of the Year.
IMAGE | People and Organisational Excellence Manager at Newcastle Airport, Melissa Rowe accepts the award from the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, Professor Caroline McMillen.
