Building cultural competence in future leaders

At Northcott, we believe in nurturing talent and encouraging personal development among our staff. In line with this commitment, we introduced the Future Ready Program—an initiative aimed at preparing the next generation of leaders for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Launched in April, the Future Ready Program currently supports two groups: aspiring service coordinators and future service managers, with plans to expand to more groups each year. This structured, eight-month program is designed to equip employees with the skills and knowledge needed to advance their careers within Northcott.

A day of learning and connection

A key highlight of the Future Ready Program was the face-to-face gathering, led by cultural immersion specialist Maria Williams, a Wiradjuri Elder. Throughout the gathering, Maria covered topics identified by Northcott’s Yarrabee Staff Network as important for understanding and respecting the cultural values of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Maria also provided an overview of the current cultural concerns and barriers faced by the Indigenous communities we work with.

Participants engaged in networking activities with Northcott Executives during a working lunch. As part of this experience, attendees were asked to share a key point from their Talent Profile—a moment that allowed them to connect meaningfully with our leadership team.

The 3 L’s: Look, Listen, Learn

Maria stressed the significance of the 3 L’s—Look, Listen, and Learn—when building relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Participants were encouraged to approach their interactions with an open mind in order to form genuine connections.

Through group discussions and activities, attendees reflected on their learning, focusing on the diversity of languages, cultural beliefs, and the foundational values necessary for effective relationship building—respect, communication, and trust.

A commitment to cultural safety

The gathering also included brainstorming sessions aimed at creating culturally safe spaces within our workplace. Participants discussed how to implement cultural awareness practices and engage Elders at the beginning of projects to ensure respectful collaboration.

Another key takeaway from the gathering was the importance of treating relationships as an ongoing commitment, and not something that is built up only to be walked away from. Maria shared that trust must be formed over time, particularly given the historical context that has shaped these interactions.

Participant feedback

Participants expressed that the experience was not only informative but also relevant and authentic. As one attendee noted, “It was easier to take the information on board when it came directly from Maria, who is an Elder with life experience.”

All groups agreed that the exposure to the cultural and historical backgrounds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will assist them with building relationships in their communities in the future.

At Northcott, we create opportunities for growth among employees by providing access to training resources and further job opportunities.

Careers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander connections