A business forum in Tamworth last week explored how the region can build a stronger, more inclusive workforce for the future - including at UNE.
The New England North West Future Workforce Forum, a Business NSW event hosted by UNE Tamworth, brought together representatives from industry, education, government and community services to discuss how to attract, support and retain diverse talent across the region.
UNE Senior Manager, Organisational Development and Strategy, Mirela Suciu, took part in a panel discussion on ‘Attracting Diverse Cohorts: Inclusive Workforce’, which highlighted how employers can rethink traditional recruitment practices and recognise the value of lived experience, diverse abilities and non-linear career pathways.
Mirela said universities and regional employers have an opportunity to look beyond traditional hiring models.
“A university is a large organisation with a lot of different job opportunities [and] we’re really starting to look at going beyond traditional recruitment practices, to capitalise on who we already have in the region, including people who have not traditionally considered a career at a university,” she said.
There are so many different ways to look at someone (as a recruiter).
“As a university, obviously we place a lot of emphasis on university education, but we're bringing in alternate pathways to have more people come in who have lived experience; who can relate to our students; who have industry experience that is not necessarily in the higher education sector, to build up our industry networks across the region.”
Image: Mirela Suciu speaks at the Business NSW event.
Mirela also spoke about more inclusive hiring practices, such as reframing how employers view so-called resume gaps.
“Instead of looking at those critically, to say, ‘What have you done during that time? Have you travelled? Have you cared for someone? And how has that made you a more valuable employee?’ … There are so many different ways to look at someone.”
Congratulations to the panel and organisers for a thoughtful conversation about the future of work in our region:
- Facilitator: Tim Coates (President, New England North West Regional Advisory Council)
- Jill Follington (Regional Manager, Mid Coast & Northern Inland (North), AusIndustry)
- Mirela Suciu (Senior Manager, Organisational Development and Strategy, University of New England)
- Rachael Philips (Director, Birrelee M.A.C.S)
- Yvette Humphrys (Project Officer, Information, Linkages & Capacity Building, Hunter New England Regional, Uniting)
