Ivan Wood HR Scholarship

The Ivan Wood HR career Readiness Program is offered in memory of Mr Ivan Wood. Ivan personified the modern business-orientated HR professional and was deservedly successful in his career due to his capability and work experience. We offer a comprehensive 12-month Career Readiness Program to ensure that final year HR University of Western Sydney students are prepared and highly competitive for HR graduate roles when they complete their studies.

This program involves:
• One-on-one mentoring by an assigned Program Manager;
• HR career planning advice;
• Resume Guidance;
• Interview coaching;
• A copy of HC magazine distributed on a monthly basis;
• Access to professional development opportunities; and
• Meetings with HR Directors.

If you are currently a University of Western Sydney student, please see attached document to determine your eligibility for the 2012 Ivan Wood HR Career Readiness Program.

To find out more visit www.uws.edu.au/scholarships/find_a_scholarship/ug_scholarships and click on The Next Step Ivan Wood Scholarship.

In 2011 we offered the HR Career Readiness Program to two high potential students Stacey Grieco and Blake Fitzgerald and we are looking forward to working with them throughout the year.

Stacey impressed us throughout the selection process with her strong work ethic, her articulate manner and her proactive approach. Currently studying a Bachelor of Business and Commerce, Stacey recognised early on in her degree the importance of gaining practical experience to compliment her studies, and is currently juggling a Supervisory role with Event Cinemas with an internship as a Recruitment Coordinator at UWS Careers & Cooperative Education. She has also demonstrated her commitment to the community through her volunteer work as a HR Coordinator with Vibewire and in administration with Cancer Quality.



Blake is currently studying a Bachelor of Business (HRM & IR). What stood out for us about Blake throughout the selection process was not only his mature approach and enthusiasm, but his understanding of HR in a practical sense. Blake has already taken his theoretical knowledge from university and applied this to his parent's Hotel. Blake has completed a summer internship as a HR Administrator with the Children's Medical Research Institute and is successfully balancing full-time study with his role at Coles Supermarkets.

In 2009, the redesigned Ivan Wood Scholarship was won by Andrew Taing, Lisa and Erin De Permentier and Jacob Cunningham.

Andrew has an inspiring story to tell. After completing high school he completed an apprenticeship as an Auto Mechanic and thoroughly enjoyed training and mentoring the young apprentices, which ultimately led to his decision to study HR. He has put himself through University and has now been identified as a high-potential student by the Associate Head and School of Management. Andrew is currently completing voluntary work with The Smith Family.

Lisa and Erin's enthusiasm for HR is impressive, as are their academic achievements. Both received outstanding UAI's and their grade point averages to date are 6.65 and 6.45 respectively. They are both members of the Golden Key International Honour Society and for the first time in the history of the University, the Dean's Scholarship, which is normally issued to one student, was awarded to both. In addition to this both Lisa and Erin are currently volunteering their time for Chasing Rainbows Australia: St Patricks Primary School in Blacktown.

Jacob is an extremely bright and intelligent young man, demonstrated by his current grade point average of 5.5. As part of the selection process for the scholarship, we asked all applicants to respond to a number of HR questions and his responses demonstrated a maturity and knowledge beyond his years. Jacob has demonstrated a commitment to the community as he is currently completing volunteer work within the Westmead Cancer Care Centre at Westmead Hospital.

We look forward to seeing these aspiring HR professional develop throughout the12 month program and securing worthwhile professional employment upon completion. 
 

In 2008 the Ivan Wood Scholarship was won by Zoe Yiannoulli. Following her her final year at university we are pleased to announce that Zoe was offered a place in the QBE graduate program as a Graduate - Human Resources Business Partner.

Her role will be to support the achievement of HR objectives by providing pro-active provision of HR support to business units. She'll partner with the business to initiate and implement people strategies to support the future direction and operation of business units.

Additionally, she'll promote and model the QBE Essential Behaviours to support the QBE culture, business performance and employment brand, and will actively participate in HR and business initiated projects. Zoe has been assigned to the Strategy & Technology client group, and she'll undertake rotations in Learning & Organisational Effectiveness, HR Services & Remuneration and International Reward. Upon completion of the program after 18 months, Zoe will be a Human Resources Business Partner.

In 2007 the inaugural winner of the Ivan Wood HR Scholarship was Lisa Arkell. Lisa undertook paid work experience with Deloitte, a top tier Professional Services firm, during her mid term break and was offered a full time position at the completion of her studies.

Lisa is continuing her career with Deloitte as a People and Performance Consultant, and has been an outstanding success. Here she plays a key advisory role implementing the People & Performance Strategy within her portfolio of internal clients, providing balanced and considered consultancy to the business and ensuring smooth and efficient delivery of solutions. This includes managing Employee Relations matters, Change Management programs, OHS & Return to Work programs, The Annual Performance & Remuneration Review and drawing on her own personal experience in participating in Graduate Recruitment activities.

Lisa has led some exciting new projects including; the development and project roll out of an Employee Reward & Recognition program, Implementation & Coaching of Managers on Deloitte's new Performance Management System, roll out of the Employee Engagement Survey and putting in place Engagement & Talent Management programs. Lisa has cemented an excellent grounding and looks forward to continuing to develop her career with Deloitte.

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