Indigenous Engagement, Education and Empowerment - Practical Action, Meaningful Impact: ADG's Indigenous Training Academy
Tracks
Concurrent Room 3
| Thursday, August 6, 2026 |
| 1:35 PM - 1:55 PM |
| Concurrent Room 3 |
Overview
Sandra De Kock, Airport Development Group Pty Ltd
Details
1. How and why the Indigenous Training Academy got started - right for here, right for now.
2. What has worked in our context and what our learnings have been along the way
3. Moving beyond graduate certificates and entry level roles to create meaningful pathways for future leaders
Speaker
Ms Sandra De Kock
Executive General Manager People Culture & Community
Airport Development Group Pty Ltd
Indigenous Engagement, Education and Empowerment - practical action, meaningful impact: ADG's Indigenous Training Academy
Presentation Overview
The Airport Development Group (ADG) is deeply committed to fostering meaningful education and employment pathways for Indigenous Australians creating opportunities that support long-term social and economic outcomes for Indigenous communities.
A flagship initiative in ADG's Indigenous engagement strategy is our award-winning Indigenous Training Academy, recently awarded winner of the Leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion category at the prestigious Australian Airports Association Annual Awards.
Operating in Darwin and Alice Springs with 16 graduates since 2022, a 100% ongoing employment rate for graduates, an increase in Indigenous employment representation to 8.5% and identified leadership potential in the graduate cohort, the Training Academy has gone from strength to strength.
The presentation aims to share our journey to inspire and encourage others who are seeking to facilitate meaningful connections with local Indigenous stakeholders and advance Indigenous education and employment pathways.
A flagship initiative in ADG's Indigenous engagement strategy is our award-winning Indigenous Training Academy, recently awarded winner of the Leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion category at the prestigious Australian Airports Association Annual Awards.
Operating in Darwin and Alice Springs with 16 graduates since 2022, a 100% ongoing employment rate for graduates, an increase in Indigenous employment representation to 8.5% and identified leadership potential in the graduate cohort, the Training Academy has gone from strength to strength.
The presentation aims to share our journey to inspire and encourage others who are seeking to facilitate meaningful connections with local Indigenous stakeholders and advance Indigenous education and employment pathways.
Biography
Sandra is an internationally experienced executive specialising in operations, strategy, HR and governance. Renowned for driving cultural transformation in complex organisations, she leads high performing teams with clarity and purpose. As EGM People, Culture & Community at Airport Development Group since August 2023, Sandra oversees a broad portfolio including environment & sustainability, HR, corporate affairs, marketing, communications, and community engagement. Her academic foundation in philosophy and literature, post graduate HR, MBA and GAICD qualifications inform her strategic and people-focused leadership style.
