Future Leaders Program
Regional Development Australia Goldfields
the brief:
The Chair of Regional Development Australia Goldfields Esperance reached out to Jenny Gleeson Coaching and Consulting seeking a Project Coordinator to successfully manage the Goldfields Future Leaders Program. This is the first of its kind for the Goldfields, which sees the future growth of the region’s up and coming leaders.
THE CLIENT:
Regional Development Australia (RDA) is a national network of committees made up of local leaders who work with all levels of government, business and community groups to support the economic development of their regions.
​
RDA Committees have an active and facilitative role in their communities and a clear focus on growing strong and confident regional economies that harness their competitive advantages, seize on opportunity and attract investment.
RDA Goldfields Esperance (RDAGE) is funded by the Australian Government and administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
STRATEGY:
This is a current project which has seen Jenny Gleeson Coaching and Consulting apply a strong project management strategy, starting with advertising for participants, applying a rigorous selection process, interviewing applicants, and placing them into the program. From here, advertising for Mentors took place and Mentors were considered and matched to Participants based on their skillsets, industry areas, community reputation and their areas of interests.
​
The process involves organising monthly Business Workshops, regular correspondence with all stakeholders including Participants, Mentors, Regional TAFE, The Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and external presenters. We coordinate speakers and presenters, provide ongoing support to students, and present monthly reports.
KEY OBJECTIVES:
This Program launched in September 2021 for aspiring leaders in the Goldfields region. The program has been designed to invest in the next generation of leaders by providing them with opportunities to learn and develop leadership and management skills which will in turn benefit the local region.
​
The Future Leaders Program is delivered by Regional Development Australia Goldfields Esperance in partnership with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Central Regional TAFE. By participating in this program, applicant will study a Certificate IV Leadership & Management, are assigned their very own Mentor, and participate in monthly leadership meetings/business workshops.
RESULT:
Interest in the program was beyond expectation with us having to decline several applicants.
Mentors have also been overwhelmingly supportive with many offering to run monthly workshops. Word has spread across Western Australia as to how positive with program is, with other Regional Development Australia networks requesting support in starting up a Future Leaders Program in their region.
We are also in the process of applying for Building Resilient Regional Leaders Initiative funding to support current and emerging regional leaders to further develop their leadership and resilience skills.
