What an incredible few days in Brisbane! The energy, ideas, and connections at this year’s AAGE Conference set a new benchmark for the early talent industry. As the dust settles, we’re reflecting on the highlights, celebrating the wins, and looking forward to what’s next.
Fusion to Amberjack: The Next Chapter
This year’s conference marked a major milestone as we announced our transition from Fusion to Amberjack. As shared in our keynote, this evolution is about more than a name change – it’s about combining deep local expertise with global innovation to deliver early talent programs that are both world-class and locally relevant.
Celebrating Industry Excellence at the AGRIA Awards
We were proud to celebrate the brilliant work being done across the industry at the AGRIA Gala Dinner. Huge congratulations to all finalists and winners!
We’re especially proud to have been recognised in two key categories:
- Will Spensley Innovation Award – MatchMe
In partnership with RSM, MatchMe reframes assessment as an opportunity for candidates to discover their strengths and align with roles that truly fit. It’s a new standard for candidate-centric attraction – empowering graduates and driving better outcomes for both employers and talent. - Integrated Marketing Award – RSM
RSM’s campaign modernised their brand, amplified real employees voices, and drove impressive engagement across metro and regional markets. A fantastic achievement and well-deserved recognition for authentic, innovative marketing.
Nick's TED Talk: "Your Program, Their Future"
Nick’s keynote challenged us to rethink graduate programs in a world where Gen Z is predicted to hold up to 17 jobs across seven careers. His message? The future is dynamic – and programs must evolve just as fast. Here are our key takeaways:
- Three Futures for Graduate Programs:
– Dissolution of Traditional Pathways: Imagine careers built from diverse, project-based experiences, with success measured by impact and momentum, not tenure.
– The Purpose Economy: Gen Z chooses employers for values and social impact. Programs must embed purpose at every stage, from onboarding to innovation projects.
– AI-Augmented Employees: As AI becomes part of every job, programs must focus on human strengths – creativity, ethical judgement, adaptability – and teach grads to collaborate with AI. - A Different Way of Thinking:
– Move from ‘entry to employment’ to ‘entry to experience’
– Build alumni networks and cross-industry partnerships
– Redefine success metrics: retention, reputation, ripple impact - Practical Takeaways:
– Reimagine programs as launchpads, not pipelines
– Use agile designs with short sprints that focus on real business challenges
– Measure impact with hard data and authentic stories
– Foster collective responsibility and collaboration across the industry
Workshop Highlights: Best Practice to Next Practice
Our Fusion-led workshop focused on evolving early talent programs from ‘best practice’ to ‘next practice’ – ensuring impact is more than just a buzzword. Our highlights included:
- Best Practice vs. Next Practice: Embrace future-focused, agile approaches – designing programs that are relevant, resilient, and ready for Gen Z.
- Real Impact: Measure what matters, from business outcomes to graduate experience, using hard data and real feedback.
- Innovation in Action: From RSM’s MatchMe quiz and CSL’s year-round Talent Community, to AI chatbots and video assessment, technology is driving smarter engagement, better alignment, and more efficient recruitment.
- Learning That Connects: Curated digital learning is the foundation, but ‘next practice’ means tailoring development to individual motivators and embedding learning into the flow of work – like the Sixty platform, which keeps grads engaged before day one.
- Applied Learning: Innovation challenges and business projects let graduates tackle real issues, build networks, and leave a legacy
- Measuring ROI & Impact: We shared frameworks and over 60 metrics to track success across attraction, recruitment, and development – balancing reliability with adaptability.
Scratchie Winners & What's Next
Congratulations to Rachel Findlater and Nicole Slaney – our lucky scratchie winners who each took home $500 gift vouchers!
Next stop: NZAGE in Auckland this November, where we’re proud sponsors of the 2025 Awards Evening. If you’re attending, come say help!