Recruiting Talent for Business Success

Find and recruiting the right people is one of the most pressing challenges facing small and medium businesses today. With rapid changes in technology, employee expectations, and social values, how do you build a team that's aligned with your goals and fit for the future?

In this first session of the Masterclass Series for Business, we'll unpack current and emerging recruitment trends and explore how inclusive hiring practices can open new opportunities for growth. You'll gain practical insights from experts and local employers, plus tools to help you take action straight away.

Program

• 7.30am - Arrivals and breakfast (networking opportunity)

• 7.50am - Welcome and opening of the Latrobe City Business Festival

• 8.00am - Part 1: The Changing Landscape of Recruitment

  • Explore modern hiring trends, shifting candidate expectations, effective recruitment strategies for small and medium businesses.

  • Understand how employee experience impacts your ability to attract and retain great staff.

• 9.15am - Morning tea break

• 9.30am - Part 2: Expand Your Talent Pipeline

  • Discover the benefits of inclusive hiring and how to implement it effectively, with a focus on the employment life cycle.

  • Have you considered employing a university student during their undergraduate studies? Learn about Federation University’s Co-op placements and cadetships for emerging talent.

• 10.45am - Formal close (continue networking)
  

Facilitators

Andrew O'Loughlin – Industry Engagement | Strategic Management | Academic

Professor Andrew O'Loughlin is Professor of Management and Director, Regional Strategy and Engagement (Eastern Region) at Federation University. With over 25 years’ experience managing businesses across a range of sectors and later consulting to multinationals in Europe and Southeast Asia, Andrew brings industry insight to his academic and strategic work. His understanding of the economic landscape and workforce needs has helped shaped Federation University’s regional engagement strategy. Andrew is a strong advocate for the University's Co-operative Education (Co-op) model, which integrates academic study with paid, practical work experience.

Sally Armstrong – Client Services Manager DFP Melbourne | HR Specialist

Sally Armstrong commenced with DFP in August 2008 and is located in DFP’s Head Office in Melbourne. As Client Services Manager, she oversees and manages DFP’s Gippsland office.  Sally has 20 years’ experience in human resources, recruitment and WHS functions. Sally is experienced in contract rollouts, national and state account management, and complex national recruitment projects for highly technical roles. She specialises in managing projects involving multiple locations, large volumes of applications and concurrent process. Sally has extensive experience providing temporary, permanent and volume placement services for the administrative and industrial sectors. Prior to joining DFP, Sally held the position of HR Manager with KFC and Pizza Hut nationally. 

Jacki Smith – Branch Manager DFP Gippsland | Recruitment Specialist

Jacki Smith commenced with DFP in July 2023 as Branch Manager Gippsland. She is located in DFP’s Gippsland office. In her role as Branch Manager, Jacki oversees a team of Recruitment Consultants and Recruitment Associate who are responsible for filling a wide range of temporary and permanent roles within the Gippsland region across the public and private sectors. Jacki works across all clients within the Gippsland region providing advice on flexible and innovative solutions for their recruitment requirements.

Michelle Cunningham – Commercial & Corporate Services | Transformation Leader
An experienced executive leader across commercial enterprise, complex for-purpose (NFP), and public sector organisations, Michelle brings significant expertise in corporate strategy and operations and in leading change and transformation to improve business performance and enhance the customer and employee experience. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, with an MBA and Internationally recognised Change Management Certification, Michelle serves as Company Secretary and leads the commercial and corporate services portfolio for The Fair Co.

💡This event is part of the Masterclass Series for Business - a four-session program presented in partnership with Federation University's Morwell Innovation Centre and delivered by business advisor Aileen Day.

While each masterclass can be attended on its own, the content has been designed to build across the four topics. Together, the series offers a cohesive roadmap to help you strengthen your business foundations and adapt confidently to today's working environment.

This program is free to attend, but registration is essential for each session. To register for other events in this series:

Succession Planning and Performance Management for a Secure Future
Tuesday 4 September | 10:30am–2:00pm (3 hrs 30 mins)
https://events.humanitix.com/masterclass-series-for-business-succession-planning-and-performance-management-for-a-secure-future

Funding Your Next Move
Thursday 16 September | 4.45pm–8:00pm (3 hrs 15 mins)
https://events.humanitix.com/masterclass-series-for-business-funding-your-next-move

Elevate Your Business with Great Customer Experience Design
Thursday 18 September | 10:30am–2:00pm (3 hrs 30 mins)
https://events.humanitix.com/masterclass-series-for-business-elevate-your-business-with-great-customer-experience-design