The 2022 program of TFTC (The Future Through Collaboration) kicked off on 25 August, where the defence industry community, including 49 pairs of mentors and mentees, gathered at the Hyatt Hotel, Canberra to mark the launch.
Now beginning its eighth year, this collaborative venture was established in response to challenges with diversity in Defence and defence industry.
The keynote speaker was Amelia De Angelis, TFTC Chairperson and COO at Kinexus, who shared a brief history of the program and why mentoring relationships are so important to her. Attendees also heard from a graduating mentee and mentor about their personal experiences in the 2021 program.
Amanda Holt, CEO at the SYPAQ Group, shared her experiences as a TFTC mentor. She shared that, whilst her focus was very much on the personal and professional development of her mentee, she learned a great deal from participating in the program.
“Whilst we have all adapted well during COVID to working in a far more isolated and virtual fashion ... it’s just not the same. I am excited to see us returning to a more collaborative and personal level of engagement so we can really bring out the best in one another.”
TFTC plays a vital role in developing Australia’s overall Defence capability, with supporting organisations including Kinexus, Airservices Australia, BAE Systems, Department of Defence, Royal Australian Navy and many more.