Businesses across the City of Moreton Bay are being encouraged to register for SBCI Connect, a free networking event designed to connect employers with emerging talent from the University of the Sunshine Coast’s School of Business and Creative Industries (SBCI).
The event will be held at UniSC Moreton Bay, Petrie, from 6pm on Tuesday, August 19, bringing together students, alumni, academics and industry to strengthen workforce connections and help shape the region’s future professionals. The School includes disciplines such as accounting, business, finance, management, marketing and the creative industries, giving employers access to a diverse pipeline of future talent.
Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Employability and Assurance of Learning Lead in UniSC’s School of Business and Creative Industries, Dr Ratna Paudyal, said the event had become so popular on the Sunshine Coast over the past four years that students from Moreton Bay regularly travelled north to attend.
“Now those students are returning as alumni to share their career journeys, and they’re excited it’s finally happening in Moreton Bay,” Dr Paudyal said.
The evening will feature industry speakers from the City of Moreton Bay’s Economic Development team, SRJ Walker Wayland, Armitage Consulting Group and creative business owner Campbell Butler, who will discuss changing workforce expectations, career pathways and the skills businesses value most. Alumni now working with organisations including KPMG, Ernst & Young and Queensland University of Technology will also return to share how they transitioned from university into professional careers.
Dr Paudyal said the event was about more than networking.
“We need you, industry,” he said.
“Without providing real-world experience, our graduates would not have much. Businesses have an opportunity to help shape the knowledge and skills they need while students are still studying.”
He said employers could support the next generation through work-integrated learning placements, industry projects and mentoring opportunities.
“Let’s co-create the learning experience. Universities cannot do it alone,” he said.
SBCI Connect is free to attend, with registrations available here.
Businesses unable to attend but interested in partnering with UniSC through work-integrated learning or student placements can contact Dr Karen Hands, Senior Lecturer, Creative Industries and Discipline Lead, Creative Industries, School of Business and Creative Industries, via khands1@usc.edu.au.
