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Join us at the Queensland end-of-year event celebrating and elevating regional Work-Integrated Learning (WIL). For the first time, this event will be hosted at a regional university -- University of the Sunshine Coast's Sippy Downs campus.

This year's theme highlights the opportunities and challenges unique to regional WIL, featuring keynote speaker Professor Michael Wilmore, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at UniSC, who will explore key insights from the Accord and its potential impact on regional universities, emphasising the importance of tailored strategies to support these institutions and their communities.

The program will continue with a panel discussion who will share their perspectives on advancing WIL in regional and remote areas. Their insights will cover challenges and collaborative solutions across various sectors.

After lunch, we're excited to present two guest sessions. Representatives from Migration Queensland and Study Queensland will provide an update on recent migration policy changes, and upcoming visa sponsorship changes, offering a valuable perspective on how policy shifts may shape the future of WIL as a talent pipeline. Study Queensland wll also provide an overview of their employability program including experiential learning opportunities. Following this, Study Sunshine Coast will discuss the *Talent Accelerate* pilot, a national and federally funded Collaborative Regional Innovation Skills initiative aimed at fostering local talent and skills development.

Don't miss this chance to connect with WIL practitioners, industry representatives, and educational leaders committed to advancing regional workforce readiness and exploring new pathways for student success. We look forward to seeing you there!

**Catering**

This will be a catered event with a sit-down lunch. We hope you can join us for a fabulous lunch inspired by Australian Native plants and cuisines. Please register to attend face-to-face if you are able.

**Transport**

We hope you can join us in person for these engaging round table discussions. With Queensland Transport currently offering 50-cent fares, it's an affordable and quick trip from Brisbane. For those unable to join us for lunch, we will also provide an online option to ensure everyone can participate in these important conversations.

**Program**

* 10:00am Morning Tea on Arrival

* 10:30am Commence * Keynote -- Professor Michael Wilmore -- DVCA Sunshine Coast

* Panel Discussion with WIL practitioners and Industry Partners

* Q&A

* 12:30pm Lunch

* Guest Presentations

* 2:00 pm Close **Room:** Building H2, Ground Floor (H2.G.02).

Watch recording: https://youtu.be/wt4LP1YfK3k

Speakers

Professor Michael Wilmore

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

University of the Sunshine Coast

Professor Michael Wilmore is an experienced academic leader with a background in the humanities and social sciences. He has held senior academic roles in universities in Australia and the UK. As Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Wilmore oversees the academic functions of UniSC and related support areas. His portfolio includes UniSC's School of Business and Creative Industries, School of Education and Tertiary Access, School of Health, School of Law and Society, School of Science, Technology and Engineering, Centre for Support and Advancement of Learning and Teaching, and High Performance Sport. His leadership experience encompasses a wide range of initiatives, including projects with significant impacts on university culture, external partnerships, business improvement processes, and investments in built and digital environments Prior to joining UniSC in June 2023, Professor Wilmore served for two periods as the Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) of UNE with responsibility for the University's three faculties, the portfolio of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous), and the Education Futures, Student Experience and Brand Partnerships and Business Development portfolios. He joined UNE as Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education in 2018, stepping up as Interim DVC during a change process in 2020. He was then appointed as the inaugural PVC Academic Development in 2022. He was also the Chair of the Board of UNE Partnerships from November 2020 to May 2023.

George Veneris

Principal Project Officer -- Skilled Workforce Attraction Office

Trade and Investment Queensland

George Veneris is the Principal Project Officer -- Skilled Workforce Attraction Office at Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ). Geoge has over 10 years' experience in migration, working in several policy and project roles across state and federal government. Most recently, George was the Principal Migration Policy Officer at the Government of South Australia before joining Queensland Government earlier this year.

Susan Schlinker

Senior Talent and Employability Officer

Study Queensland

Susan's role at Study Queensland as Senior Talent and Employability Officer is developing an employability program for international students across Queensland, and connecting prospective investors to Queensland with talent pipelines. Wither nearly eight years' experience in international education across learning abroad, recruitment, experiential learning and industry engagement, Susan is passionate about curating opportunities for students to develop personally and professionally.

Tara Jacobsen

Co-founder, Groei Education

Program Director, Study Sunshine Coast

Tara Jacobsen has over 25 years of experience in innovative education and regional business growth. As co-founder of Groei, an innovation education organization, she has supported, mentored, and inspired thousands of businessowners, start-ups, and young people across regional Australia. She was the program designer and facilitator of the award-winning USQ Wire Program, which connected hundreds of geographically isolated women to start new or expand existing businesses. Tara has extensive expertise in developing and implementing pilot programs for both federal and state governmentprojects, playing a crucial role in driving innovation and positive change across various sectors, particularly in the nexusbetween education and real-world application. Having founded four businesses, she currently lectures in Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Strategy, Decision Making, and Creativity for several leading Australian institutions. Tara is on the board of the International Social Capital Association, serves as the Australian Chair for leadership and entrepreneurship education for the G100-a global group of female leaders providing thought leadership to the G20 and policymakers-and acts as a non-executive director for the Rural Women's Co-op. She also mentors for the youth innovation accelerators Generation Innovation and the Mayor's Telstra Innovation Awards and has judged the Sunshine Coast Business Awards. Under Study Queensland Tara Jacobsen is the program director for Study Sunshine Coast on behalf of Sunshine Coast Council.

Lisa Baker

Workforce Development, Rural Service

Queensland Health's South West Hospital and Health Service, Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service

Lisa has an extensive background as an Allied Health Manager and Educator and served many years as a Team Leader for Rural Allied Health & Community Health services within various hospital and clinical settings. Her specialisation lies in rural allied health and health service leadership. She harbours a significant interest in nurturing the upcoming workforce while enhancing the present one, ensuring teams are well-equipped and innovative to meet the demands of rural communities. With a history route in roles such as a rural speech pathologist, allied health director, and a lead in telehealth service research and development, and more recently a conjoint Allied Health Interprofessional Clinical Educator with South West Hospital and Health Service and Southern Queensland Rural Health, Lisa's experience spans multiple clinical environments. Lisa holds the esteemed position of President of SARRAH (Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health). Lisa was an integral part of the RIPPAH Rural Immersion Placement Program -Allied Health concept for South West Hospital and Health Service and scale and spread of the RIPPAH model as a rural and remote priority workforce projects for the Queensland Health Chief Allied Health Office. Lisa's current positions are with Queensland Health's South West Hospital and Health Service in a Workforce Development role and with the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Rural Service.

David Spediacci

Tertiary Engagement Manager for Queensland

Engineers Australia

David Spediacci is the Tertiary Engagement Manager for Queensland at Engineers Australia. He is responsible for leading the Student Engagement Strategy within the Tertiary sector in QLD. He is focused on engaging with academic staff and university students. He is responsible for all on campus student engagement and brand building activity such as O-Week activation, in lecture presentations, managing student ambassadors and student societies, and working with the Young Engineers Australia QLD group and Qld Division staff to host events and activities. David studied at CQUniversity Rockhampton campus, where he obtained a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering. Most of his career he was involved in manufacturing and suppling prestressed concrete railway sleepers and turnout bearers, to railway owners & operators and infrastructure projects.

Dr Kerry Hall

Coordinator Learning and Teaching Indigenous

Griffith University

Dr Kerry Hall is a proud descendant of the Kuku Thaypan, Kuku Warra and Lama Lama Peoples from Cape York Peninsula. Kerry is Coordinator Learning and Teaching Indigenous at Griffith University. An Enrolled Nurse and Aboriginal Health Practitioner with extensive experience working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and education, Kerry's professional interests include community engagement, capacity building, health inequity and inequalities, access to health care, social and emotional wellbeing with a particular interest in cultural safety and culturally safe care. Her cultural background shapes her identity and is the foundation on how she builds connections with individuals, communities, and partner organisations. Her research is guided by the AIATSIS principles of Indigenous self-determination, Indigenous Leadership, Impact and Value, Sustainability, and Accountability.

Associate Professor Hayden McDonald

Director of Analytics Programs

Torrens University

Associate Professor Hayden McDonald is an accomplished academic and business practitioner with experience establishing and leading high performing teams in education and consultancy settings. As director of Torrens University's analytics programs, Dr McDonald has designed and implemented award-winning educational initiatives in partnership with global organisations. He is also a fellow of CPA Australia with strong business acumen gained while working in senior analyst roles.

Shannara Goddard

Program Manager - Study Sunshine Coast Australia,

Marketing & Events Manager - Groei Education

With over 30 years on the Sunshine Coast, Shannara Goddard brings a deep-rooted commitment to empowering local students and fostering industry connections that fuel regional growth. As Program Manager for Study Sunshine Coast Australia and Marketing & Events Manager at Groei Education, she leverages her extensive background in strategic marketing, program management, and community engagement to bridge the gap between education and industry, creating valuable pathways for student success. Her passion for the Sunshine Coast and dedication to community development make her an influential advocate for youth empowerment and local advancement.

QLD Chapter End of Year Event 2024

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