New agreement opens up work opportunities for students

An innovative new agreement between Southern Cross University and the NAB will provide paid cadetships for up to five students a year.

The agreement, announced on Friday (March 25) at Southern Cross University’s Coffs Harbour campus, will give students in a range of courses the opportunity to apply for the 12-month cadetship program.

The successful students will work in either the Coffs Harbour or Lismore branches of the NAB, where they will undertake a variety of roles and gain experience across the banking business.

Southern Cross University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter Lee, welcomed the agreement.

“This is a really exciting announcement. These cadetships will give our students access to paid employment with a national company and the ability to gain diverse experience in the banking industry,” Professor Lee said.

“We anticipate there will be significant flow-on benefits for our students in employment opportunities when they graduate. We also see this is a really positive step towards keeping our high-achieving graduates in our local communities where there are skill shortages in key areas such as accounting.”

Professor Lee said the University was keen to extend the cadetship program into other industries within the region.

Mr Leigh Sellers, regional executive retail at NAB, also welcomed the agreement.

“At NAB we have the ability to offer students exposure to a range of commercial situations. Combining real-world experience with their academic programs will provide students with a competitive advantage in any future job market,” Mr Sellers said.

“Importantly NAB’s commitment to this exciting new program underscores our wider focus on building and supporting the local community we operate within, across northern New South Wales.”

The program is open to students who have been accepted or enrolled in: Bachelor of Business; Bachelor of Business Administration; Bachelor of Information Technology; any Bachelor of Business double degree; Bachelor of Applied Computing; Bachelor of Laws; Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies; Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Social Science; or Bachelor of Media.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the program can contact Noel Davis, NAB Coffs Harbour branch manager on 6650 2398 or Joe Newton, NAB Lismore branch manager on 6626 3900.

Photo: Celebrating the new agreement are from left, Noel Davis, NAB, Heather McKinnon, Southern Cross University Rising Stars Scholarships campaign advocate, Julie Tucker, Scholarships officer and Leigh Sellers, NAB regional executive retail.