WA ad industry leading the way in graduate engagement with TCC Graduate Program

In its second year, The Communications Council’s WA Graduate Program has once again delivered strong talent to the Perth advertising industry. The 2014 program spans a total of eight months in engagement, learning and experience and this month commences the placement of eight graduates in full pay internships, with the majority leading to full time employment.

Successful Graduates include: Adam McGlashan  (JWT Perth); Bianca Carnevale (Meerkats); Caitlin Baird (Gatecrasher); Camille Whitehead and Katie Fewster (The Brand Agency); James Roddan (303Lowe); Jez Reilly and Sarah Kappeler (Marketforce).

The program also celebrates individual achievement announcing, Jez Reilly from Curtin University as the 2014 Program Top Graduate. Reilly receives the Ken Painter AdSchool Scholarship valued at $3,000, a conference pass to Emergence Creative Festival in Margaret River on March 8-11 and has this month kicked off his career at Marketforce.

“I can’t thank The Communications Council and all participating agencies enough,” said Reilly (pictured above right with Marketforce’s Brendon Lewis). “The Graduate Program gave me a first-hand insight into the inner sanctum of the advertising and marketing world. The real life experience I have received on a weekly basis from all of our industry mentors was the springboard I needed to launch my career after University.”

The program success is not just about delivering graduates to industry, the program also assists both graduates and agencies in developing strong retention strategies including the launch of The Communications Council new IPA online programs, which are internationally recognised.

“Fostering a supply of quality grads into the industry is important, and The Communications Council’s Graduate Program is a great initiative which we support wholeheartedly,” said Brendon Lewis, Group Business Director Marketforce. “This year Marketforce has taken on two graduates, Jez Reilly and Sarah Kappeler. Their enthusiasm is great for the agency and I think we have two future stars of the industry.”

The program now has a strong alumni who continue to achieve personal success in their careers working across creative, media and marketing at companies including 303Lowe, ABN Group, Gatecrasher, Ikon3 New York, J Walter Thompson, Leo Burnett Sydney, Marketforce, Meerkats, Starcom Sydney, Southern Cross Austereo, The Brand Agency, Trilogy and ZenithOptimedia London.

The 2015 Graduate Program will open in May, to register your interest visit the Council’s website or email danielle@communicationscouncil.org.au