More than 400 students, interns, alumni, staff and partners will gather at Marvel Stadium in Naarm this month for a three-day Leadership Development Institute conference, in the first face-to-face gathering of the CareerTrackers community since 2020.
This year's theme Connecting for Impact focuses on "the strength of the CareerTrackers ecosystem", organisers say. The theme was chosen to "show the importance of collaboration and connecting resources, people and ideas as tools for social impact".
The LDI is an annual learning and professional development conference that is a part of CareerTrackers, supporting First Nations university students in their professional development and paid internships, and alumni in their ongoing careers.
CareerTrackers chief executive and Wotjobaluk woman Taryn Marks said the organisation's first student-centred national learning gathering since COVID-19 is "really exciting for the CareerTrackers community".
"As well as lots of catching up and networking, we will have some amazing speakers, and our national awards will be presented a little differently this year - at a breakfast to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students, alumni and partners," she said.
With more than 60 nominations from the CareerTrackers community for six awards, the judging panel will have a difficult time choosing winners for awards including Intern of the year, the Alumni Excellence Award and Community Spirit Award.
CareerTrackers deputy CEO, Gomeroi woman Carrie Sailor, said the Community Spirit Award is close to her heart as it "showcases an intern who is a role model for future generations".
"Reading over the nominations there are many individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to their communities, and I know our future is in good hands," she said.
The ceremony also features awards that recognise the valued work of CareerTrackers' partner organisations including Intern Manager of the Year and Partnering for Excellence.
While the interns attend sessions that help with their studies and professional life, alumni of the program will attend a two-day program featuring networking opportunities and workshops, including sessions on wellbeing, Introduction to Indigenous Governance (run by AIGI), and leadership.
The conference will also feature invited speakers including Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter in a Fireside Chat; Matt Tindale, Managing Director LinkedIn, Australia & NZ doing a Q&A with alumni; and author and former AFL and WAFL star, Andrew Krakouer, with the final keynote address.
The Learning Development Institute conference takes place from 21-23 January in Naarm, and is for invited members of the CareerTrackers community including students, alumni, and community, university and corporate partners.
