Ms Laurice Lima1, Mrs Jodie McDonald1
1StudyAdelaide, Adelaide, Australia
Regional South Australia faces persistent skills shortages, with 70% of employers, including local government, struggling to recruit skilled staff. With ongoing challenges to retain employees and meet the long-term demand for skilled workers, StudyAdelaide knew that it would take more than a job ad to get international graduates committed to moving to the regions to start their careers. Students needed to experience the community, lifestyle, and career opportunities firsthand. And so, the unique Regional Careers Tours Program was born, a curated approach to matching international graduates to regional workforce needs.
More than 550 students have been on 14 tours across South Australia regions, meeting employers and community members, and learning about regional life.
The impact is evident with students taking on regional roles in a wide range of industries. Perception became reality! Post-tour surveys show a positive shift in perceptions with 80% viewing regional living more positively and over 50% applying for regional jobs. After meeting the students, 100% of surveyed employers are open to employing international students, demonstrating the program’s success in debunking myths around employing international students and addressing talent gaps.
Learn how StudyAdelaide delivers busloads of skilled graduates to welcoming towns and employers, educating employers along the way on the benefits of hiring international students, and how the program has evolved to include tailored Job Ready sessions and worksite visits for the participating students. It’s an inspiring program, embraced across the State, that is changing long-held perceptions for everyone involved as enduring connections are made.
Biography:
A former international student now working in the International Education sector, Laurice Lima is the Membership and Partnerships Coordinator at StudyAdelaide, delivering the agency’s Employment Connect Program to prepare international students for the job market and connect them to employers. With a master’s in international communication and a dual master’s in business administration and project management, Laurice is passionate about communicating to businesses the benefits of employing international students and creating awareness about job opportunities and graduate careers among international students. She plays an integral role in the continued success of StudyAdelaide’s unique Job Shop and Regional Careers Tour programs.