Appendix 2 The AAGE

The Australian Association of Graduate Employers (AAGE) is the peak industry body representing organisations that recruit and develop Australian graduates. Our current membership comprises over 400 organisations, including a variety of large and small employers across a wide range of industries in both the private and public sectors.

The AAGE is an independent, not-for-profit body that has been in existence since 1988. It does not receive government funding; rather its activities are entirely supported by members.

The Association is led by a committee of volunteer members who donate their spare time to help manage and sustain our member offering. The AAGE is therefore the only representative body in the Australian graduate recruitment market that is run by employers for employers. We believe that this structure gives the AAGE a unique ability to provide our members with valuable and relevant services.

Vision

To be the trusted source of graduate talent acquisition and development information and expertise.

Strategic Priorities

The Vision is achieved by focusing on three key strategic priorities:

1.

2.

3. Services to members

• Providing local, national and global insights that are relevant to members to support best practice graduate talent acquisition and development. • Providing information and services that are highly valued by members across a variety of industries and geographical locations.

Advocacy and best practice

• Sharing market-leading practices through events, meetings and conferences relating to our industry locally, nationally and globally. • Collaborating with the higher education sector, industry partners and international associations. • Identifying and accessing opportunities to increase the profile of the AAGE and the industry.

Relationships

• Provide members with regular opportunities to connect with employers, universities, industry partners, student societies and candidates. • Promote and foster a culture of collaboration across the industry.

Benefits

The AAGE provides a range of benefits to its members:

Relationships - The AAGE provides members with regular opportunities to connect with employers, universities, suppliers, industry associations, student societies and candidates. Insights – The AAGE collects and distributes a unique range of information and intelligence that helps members reach informed decisions. Excellence - The AAGE identifies, recognises and communicates excellence in our industry.

Membership

Membership is corporate; it is the type of organisation and the individual's role that qualifies the level of membership offered. Current representation is widespread, and includes members from industry and commerce, government and all the professions. Key Member Representatives are typically managers responsible for graduate recruitment. Member Representatives are eligible to receive a number of benefits offered by the AAGE.

To join, or view a list of current AAGE member organisations visit www.aage.com.au. Or telephone our office for more details on 03 9352 5062.

Full Members

Full memberships are only open to organisations that employ managers responsible for graduate recruitment, and perhaps training and development of graduates. Member Representatives should be in a position to represent their organisation's views on graduate recruitment and development.

Associate Members

Associate Members include organisations that provide services in the graduate recruitment and development area (such as publishers, IT consultants and recruitment consultants) and other professional institutes.

Associate (not-for-profit) Members

University careers advisors, professional associations such as NAGCAS and other not-for-profit groups qualify for Associate (not-for-profit) Membership. Members of NAGCAS are eligible for a special 'full service' membership.

AAGE Organisation

The Association’s activities are managed by a Board of Directors. All Directors are volunteers and all are elected by members. Supporting the Board is another group of volunteers called the AAGE Committee. The Committee includes representatives from different industry sectors, geographical regions and from large and small employers.

Membership Benefits

AAGE Member Representatives receive many benefits including the following:

Annual Conference

The annual AAGE Conference focuses on the professional development of our members and addresses key graduate recruitment and development issues, the latest industry innovations, and how to retain and develop graduates.

Workshops

AAGE workshops are usually held six times a year in most capital cities: Adelaide, Brisbane. Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Attendance at these events is complimentary for Member Representatives. Chosen themes are a direct response to current industry trends and issues, but regardless of theme or format, the focus remains on knowledge sharing and networking.

Regular feedback from members highlights the invaluable opportunity of expanding one's network and sharing experiences with others in the graduate recruitment industry.

Practitioner Master Classes

Each year the AAGE runs a full day Practitioner Master Class which focuses on the practicalities of creating and running a graduate recruitment and development program. This Master Class is the classroom equivalent of the ‘AAGE How To Handbook’ publication that you are currently reading.

The AAGE UniStats Report

This annual report provides data on commencement and completion statistics for domestic, international and indigenous undergraduates in Australia, analysed by university and degree subject.

E-Newsletter

We keep you up to date with AAGE news through our regular e-newsletter, Graduate Employer.

The AAGE Employer Survey

This annual survey collects data from around 100 employers on their graduate recruitment processes. This information is then analysed and summarised to provide a variety of key benchmarks and trends relating to the graduate recruitment market.

The AAGE Candidate Survey

This annual survey collects data from around 3,000 students about to join AAGE member organisations as part of a graduate program.

The AAGE Graduate Survey

This annual survey collects data from around 2,000 graduates who have been working for an AAGE member organisation for around 12 months.

The AAGE Intern Survey

This annual survey collects data from around 500 students who have taken part in an internship, vacation placement or clerkship program.

Australian Graduate Recruitment Industry Awards (AGRIAs)

The AGRIAs are the annual AAGE awards for excellence spanning several categories including:

Best Graduate Employer Best Internship Program Best Careers Service Best Supplier Best Graduate Development Program Most Popular Graduate Recruitment Video Most Popular Integrated Marketing Campaign Most Popular Graduate Recruiter

Most Popular Exhibitor Will Spensley Memorial Award for Innovation Contribution to the Graduate Recruitment Industry

We encourage all members to enter the Awards, as it is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your organisation as an industry leader and gain solid recognition for your winning strategies. More information via www.agrias.com.au