A program heralded for developing the Illawarra’s next generation of leaders continues to thrive with the signing of a new three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The Leadership Illawarra Program is an initiative of Regional Development Australia, Illawarra, (RDAI) who drive economic growth, innovation and entrepreneurship in the region through facilitating investment in community, industry and the environment.
RDAI partners with The Illawarra Connection and Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong to present the two-year experiential learning program which is currently in its 11th year.
More than 100 people have completed the program which works collaboratively to enhance regional leadership skills and experience to ensure a strong, connected and resilient Illawarra community.
RDAI CEO Debra Murphy said the signing of a new MOU was indicative of the ongoing success of the Leadership Illawarra Program at a time when the region faces strong economic growth and high levels of investment.
“Our region is preparing for an unprecedented pipeline of transformational infrastructure projects that brings with it a growing population and strong economy,” she said.
“It is by fostering the professional growth and networking abilities of the next generation of community leaders that we can ensure the Illawarra thrives throughout this period.
Participants in the program are drawn from a range of private, not-for-profit and government organisations and are encouraged to develop innovative ideas to ensure the Illawarra remains strong and progressive.”
Each two-year LIP program includes mentoring by Illawarra business leaders, workshops, masterclasses, adaptive leadership coaching and site visits to organisations such as BlueScope, Shellharbour City Council, Greenacres and the Australian and NSW parliaments.
The program’s current 6th cohort began in January with 27 participants and runs through 2024. The new MOU begins on October 31, 2023, and will include a new intake of participants in January 2025. Applications for the 2025 program will open mid next year.
Find out more: Leadership Illawarra Program
Enquiries: admin@rdaillawarra.com.au