In recognition of their outstanding achievement in the field of special education, Newcastle School are the 2023 recipient of the Employer Excellence in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award. Newcastle School provides committed support to students in the undergraduate special education specialisation through collaborative professional learning opportunities and research activities.

Newcastle School established the Snowball Internship in partnership with the University, providing quality placements for education students. The internship provides a supportive environment for students to experience complex and multiple disabilities, furthering their professional development. Newcastle School’s innovative commitment to promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion places them as deserving recipients of this year’s award.

University of Newcastle students are highly motivated, bringing new ideas and a fresh perspective to the classroom. Their enthusiasm for teaching reinvigorates our staff. The addition of university students in the class enriches the one-to-one experience for our learners.

~ Graham Finch, Lead Principal, Newcastle School

NeuroKind has been awarded the New Partner in Employability Award as a key industry partner committed to supporting new talent from the University of Newcastle. NeuroKind currently employ 19 students and have employed 15 alumni. They have also hosted 21 students and graduates as volunteers at their clinic in 2023.

NeuroKind have demonstrated sustained interest in providing professional learning experiences for University of Newcastle psychology students, utilising an in-house placement coordinator to facilitate placements and developed a specific onboarding process. NeuroKind have generously offered additional professional development opportunities for placement students, demonstrating their commitment to the placement experiences of University of Newcastle students.

Our collaboration with the University of Newcastle has cemented our belief in the power of hands-on, practical learning. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to offer real-world experiences where students can apply their theoretical knowledge, enhancing what they have learned in the academic environment.

~ Matthew Craig, Managing Director, NeuroKind

In recognition of their longstanding partnership with the University of Newcastle, 4Tel is being inducted into the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame. Since 2015, 4Tel has supported students into employment pathways through facilitating work on real-world problems, practical guidance and providing employment opportunities both during and after their studies.

4Tel is a leading employer of students, having employed 25 graduates and students totalling a third of their current staff across artificial intelligence, software development, and software testing.

4Tel is also an active participant in mentoring student-led groups, having mentored the NUbots robotics team since 2016, and as of 2023, confirmed a platinum sponsorship of Newcastle University Women in Engineering (NUWiE).

Connecting with enthusiastic students, in particular supporting student-led programs such as RoboCup and NUWIE, is such a rewarding and important channel for 4Tel to support and mentor the next generation of industry talent. These students and their new ways of thinking become an immensely valuable asset to the 4Tel team.

~ Tony Crosby, CEO, 4Tel

In recognition of their outstanding contributions to the University of Newcastle, Boeing Defence Australia are being inducted into the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame. Since 2019, Boeing Defence have nurtured the academic and career aspirations of students across aerospace systems, electrical & electronic, mechanical & mechatronics, and software engineering.

Their summer internship opportunities have enabled students to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings, preparing them for the demands of their future careers. Boeing Defence continues to employ graduates from these programs, with 18 students having benefited from these invaluable experiences to date. Boeing Defence’s unwavering commitment to the professional development of students places them as a deserving addition to the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame.

We’re looking forward to continuing our collaboration with the University of Newcastle to build the Aviation and Defence industry here in Newcastle. Boeing has always been thrilled to take on local students from this region which has a wealth of talent. We see the value in providing real world experience while also adding context to the courses they’re studying. The quality and professionalism of the students highlights the excellent culture being developed at the University of Newcastle which Boeing supports and reflects.

~ Josie Kruger, Early Career Specialist, Boeing Defence Australia

Catholic Schools Broken Bay are being inducted into the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame in recognition of their outstanding contributions to developing the next generation of teachers for over two decades.

In addition to the provision of placement opportunities, Catholic Schools Broken Bay have further strengthened their partnership with the University of Newcastle through the development of their Central Coast Pre-service Teacher Hub. The Hub proactively seeks opportunities to engage with students outside of placements, offering an incentive program for pre-service teachers and visits to schools for group observation of classes. Catholic Schools Broken Bay’s innovative approach to student development has seen them provide opportunities for 73 students in 2023 alone.

Catholic Schools Broken Bay is committed to growing and nurturing the next generation of educators. Our partnership with the University facilitates our System’s need for a robust talent pipeline, increases the capacity of our school-based mentor teachers, and meets the university’s need to produce profession-ready graduates. It’s a win for everyone … especially the students in our schools.

~ Lisa Boys, Tertiary Partnerships and Pre-service teacher Program Coordinator, Catholic Schools Broken Bay

CLARITY Imaging are being inducted into the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame in recognition of their commitment to medical imaging and the development of radiography students. Through providing hands-on experiences and personalised support, CLARITY Imaging equips students with the skills and experiences they need to provide excellent patient care.

CLARITY Imaging’s dedication to comprehensive growth ensures that students and graduates are not only technically proficient by the end of their placement, but compassionate, confident, and patient-centred practitioners. CLARITY Imaging’s commitment to providing invaluable student experiences for 35 University of Newcastle students places them as a valued industry partner and deserving addition to the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame.

As a local healthcare facility, we are committed to working with the University of Newcastle to help train our next generation of healthcare professionals. University of Newcastle students have initiative and enthusiasm to learn and participate in our busy department. We love having them as part of our team!

~ Peter Debono, Chief Radiographer, CLARITY Imaging

Community Corrections Newcastle and Lake Macquarie are being inducted into the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame in recognition of their support of the continual learning and employability of University of Newcastle students. Community Corrections is the key placement partner for criminology at the University, providing over 30 placements opportunities a year, totaling to over 100 students during our five-year partnership.

Community Corrections further support the continual learning of students through providing guest lectures delivered by case workers, as well as working with academics to develop assessment items that equip students with the skillsets required for placement. Community Corrections is committed to cultivating invaluable placement experiences for University of Newcastle students.

Partnering with the University of Newcastle has been a rewarding and fulfilling experience. The partnership has provided us with the ability to form strong connections with the community and provide opportunities for our future generation to step into a field with a focus on positive outcomes. Students bring a renewed commitment to our organisation for continued growth, development and giving back.

~ Annette Caffery, Manager, Lake Macquarie Community Corrections

In recognition of their 20-year partnership with the University of Newcastle, Hunter Community Legal Centre are being inducted into the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame. Hunter Community Legal Centre have provided over 500 professional development opportunities for students and have employed over 50 University of Newcastle graduates.

Hunter Community Legal Centre supply workplace learning for law, social work, and communications students, providing students with opportunities to apply their studies to solving legal needs and preparing community legal education materials for some of the most disadvantaged members of the Hunter region. Hunter Community Legal Centre’s outstanding commitment to enhancing the employability of students makes them a valuable addition to the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame.

Partnering with the University of Newcastle has not only mutually benefited the Hunter Community Legal Centre and the students but has also resulted in a broader benefit to the community we serve.

~ Michael Giles, Senior Solicitor, Hunter Community Legal Centre

Imagecloud is being inducted into the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame in recognition of their ongoing collaboration with The University of Newcastle. Over the past eight years, Imagecloud has offered transformative professional software and AI experiences for final year students in computer science, and software engineering.

Through gaining hands-on experience at Imagecloud, students bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring that they are career-ready upon graduation. Imagecloud’s dedication to nurturing talent is further exemplified by their provision of employment opportunities, having welcomed three University of Newcastle students into their team while having guided over twenty students through work placements. Imagecloud also plays a pivotal role in shaping academic programs at the University of Newcastle, ensuring that computing and IT curriculums remain at the forefront of industry needs.

The University of Newcastle is engaging and highly collaborative, seeking the best for their students by preparing them well for industry. The quality of students from the University of Newcastle has been very high…We benefit from the energy that younger minds bring to the workplace in shaping and transforming our business through innovation.

~ Gough Venter, Executive Chair, Imagecloud

NGM Group is being inducted into the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame in recognition of their ongoing investment in the development of current students and alumni. NGM Group, including its Greater Bank and Newcastle Permanent brands, is a placement host of business, IT and software engineering students, seeing placements as essential to the creation of their talent pipeline.

NGM Group are committed to sustaining a partnership with the University of Newcastle, laying the foundations for a comprehensive graduate program, intending to expand its offering of placements within different areas of the business. NGM Group greatly value the benefits of placements for all stakeholders, breaking new ground in the region for attracting, developing, and retaining talent from the University of Newcastle.

Work placement isn’t just a transformative experience for students, our organisation also benefits from the perspectives, exuberance and energy the students bring. We’re proud of our partnership with the University of Newcastle and even prouder of the students we’ve had the pleasure of hosting.

~ Gayle Piek, Chief People and Culture Officer, NGM Group

In recognition of their outstanding commitment to providing professional clinical placement opportunities for University of Newcastle students, the Prince of Wales Hospital Nuclear Medicine Department are being inducted into the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame. The Prince of Wales Hospital (Nuclear Medicine Department) has accommodated University of Newcastle students with their clinical placements for the past 30 years, giving them the opportunity to gain their competencies in all clinical areas under the supervision of highly qualified and motivated staff. Notably, the Prince of Wales Hospital (Nuclear Medicine Department) has hosted 55 students over the last decade, making them a deserving addition to the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame.

The exceptional team of technologists at the Prince of Wales Nuclear Medicine Department are committed in supporting and training University of Newcastle students to develop the next generation of competent health professionals and to ensure high quality health care services across Australia.

~ Melissa Koutsiofi, Senior Nuclear Medicine & PET/CT Technologist, Prince of Wales Hospital

In recognition of their 17-year commitment to facilitating placements for University of Newcastle students, Recovery Station is being inducted into the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame. Recovery Station is committed to supporting emerging allied health professionals, having supervised mentored, and trained over 45 placement students and 43 new graduates throughout their longstanding partnership with the University.

Recovery Station employs students as Allied Health Assistants, allowing them to gain exposure to a variety of clinical cases within a supportive environment. Alongside their placement program, Recovery Station also offers a 12-month graduate program that assists new graduates to develop their foundational skills in a collaborative and innovative environment.

Recovery Station is proud to have worked in collaboration with the University of Newcastle for over 17 years to mentor and support emerging allied health professionals in developing their foundational skills. Placements provide students with practical experience within a wide variety of clinical settings and with client groups to help them determine the right career pathway for them.

~ Lisa Nolan, Managing Director, Recovery Station

Redhead Public School is being inducted into the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame in recognition of their ongoing commitment to supporting the development of University of Newcastle education students.

Over the last 10 years, Redhead Public School has provided over 100 placement opportunities for students. Their exceptional mentoring regime has been further strengthened by the provision of demonstration and workshop activities, created in collaboration with our Education academic staff. In addition to model lessons, Redhead Public School created, refined, and delivered annual ‘final year workshops’ delivered by staff after school hours, empowering students to close the theory-practice gap as they enter the teaching profession. Redhead Public Schools’ enthusiastic commitment to training the future generation of teachers places them as a model of successful industry and university collaboration.

The University of Newcastle’s streamlined approach to placements as well as high levels of ongoing and professional communication are unparalleled. The assistance the University has offered Redhead Public School with complex placements has ensured a professional and caring multifaceted approach to supporting all University of Newcastle Education students.

~ Lexi McInnes, Assistant Principal

ResTech is being inducted into the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame in recognition of their innovative collaboration with the University of Newcastle. ResTech has been providing industry experience opportunities to engineering students for over six years, with a steadfast commitment to fostering talent and bridging the gap between academia and industry.

Through ResTech, students have the opportunity to be involved in real-world projects, blending theoretical knowledge with hands-on applications, and gaining valuable exposure within their respective fields. ResTech ensures that students are mentored every step of the way by skilled professionals, boosting their employability and enriching their skill sets.

At ResTech the merits of industry engagement are baked into the people and values of the business…We can have bright minds applied to ideas that may seed future product developments or technological innovations. ResTech has a long history of ‘built, not bought’ for the skills and abilities of its staff, with many ResTech staff being University of Newcastle alumni.

~ Chris Bird, General Manager, ResTech

The University of Newcastle Justice Clinic is being inducted into the Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame in recognition of their significant provision of professional development opportunities for University of Newcastle students. The University of Newcastle Justice Clinic has provided over 400 students with the unique opportunity to gain real life experience in investigating criminal matters.

Students who have engaged in placements at the University of Newcastle Justice Clinic have contributed to coronial inquests, facilitated discussions with the Australian Federal Police where they proposed potential suspects for a high-profile missing person’s case, and contributed to policy recommendations for wrongful convictions.

The University of Newcastle Justice Clinic provide invaluable experiences for criminology, psychology, and law students at the University of Newcastle, enabling them to experience the real-world impacts of their advocacy.

The opportunity to provide students from criminology, law, psychology with a unique, hands-on experience, that aims to not only assist marginalised individuals but better the legal system overall is truly the greatest aspect of our work at the Justice Clinic. This is the only opportunity that students at The University of Newcastle have to work on cases in this manner and gain invaluable skills and knowledge that employers in this space demand.

~ Peter Gogarty, Director, The University of Newcastle Justice Clinic