Free mentoring for CUC Isaac students. Get matched with an experienced industry mentor, and build your confidence, skills and local connections through three career-readiness workshops.
Bringing degrees closer to regional, rural and remote Australia.
About the program
The CUC Isaac Student Mentoring Program pairs CUC Isaac students with experienced industry mentors from a variety of organisations, for regular, structured mentoring across a semester. Students also take part in three career-readiness workshops and come together with mentors at an Opening Event and a Closing Event.
The program is funded by the Local Buying Foundation and is completely free to CUC Isaac students.
For mentees
- A one-on-one mentor with real industry experience
- Three full-day workshops on strengths, communication, confidence and leadership
- A cohort of local students to learn alongside
- Clearer career direction and stronger local connections
For mentors
- A chance to share your experience with a local student
- A short online training session, plus a mentor handbook and handouts
- Structured support from CUC Isaac throughout the program
- A stronger link to the region’s next generation of workers
Watch the program videos
Hear about the Student Mentoring Program in two short videos from the CUC Isaac team, on our Facebook page.
Both videos open on Facebook in a new tab.
Key dates
Pilot cohort, October to December 2026. A larger intake of up to 15 students is planned for February 2027.
- Thursday 15 OctoberMentee applications close
- Wednesday 21 OctoberOpening Event5:00 to 6:00pm, mentors and mentees together
- Tuesday 27 OctoberWorkshop 19:30am to 3:30pm
- Thursday 12 NovemberWorkshop 29:30am to 3:30pm
- Thursday 26 NovemberWorkshop 39:30am to 3:30pm
- Thursday 10 DecemberClosing Event5:00 to 6:00pm, mentors and mentees together
Mentors also complete an online training session of 1 to 1.5 hours. The date, and the mentor application closing date, will be confirmed directly with mentors.
Attendance is part of the commitment. Mentees are required to attend the Opening Event, all three workshops and the Closing Event, as well as regular catch-ups with their mentor. Please apply only if you can make these dates.
The three workshops
Each workshop runs from 9:30am to 3:30pm. Together they give mentees a shared foundation to build on in their mentoring sessions.
Workshop 1: Discovering Your Strengths
Tuesday 27 October
9:30am to 3:30pm
- Identify your strengths using the CliftonStrengths framework
- Build your understanding of body language and emotional intelligence
- Set goals and practise with speed interviews
Workshop 2: Communication and Confidence
Thursday 12 November
9:30am to 3:30pm
- Understand introvert and extrovert communication styles, and how to adapt yours
- Deal with imposter syndrome and the comparison trap
- Learn what your workplace wants from you, from teamwork to authentic self-leadership
Workshop 3: Stepping Up
Thursday 26 November
9:30am to 3:30pm
- Mate2Manager: the basics of stepping into your first leadership role
- Give and receive feedback with confidence
- Have honest conversations, and choose proactive over reactive
Who can apply?
Mentees
To be eligible, you must:
- Be registered with CUC Isaac
- Be currently studying a higher education course
- Be able to attend the Opening Event, all three workshops and the Closing Event
Not registered yet? Register here.
Mentors
We’re looking for people who:
- Have experience in an industry and want to share it with a local student
- Can give regular time across the semester
- Can complete the online training and attend the Opening Event
You don’t need any previous mentoring experience.
How to apply
Download the application form, complete it and email it to CUC Isaac. Both forms are fillable PDFs.
Mentee application
Includes an information letter. Takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Read the information letter at the start of the form.
- Complete the form and save it.
- Email it to degrees@cucisaac.edu.au before applications close on Thursday 15 October.
Download the mentee application form (PDF)
Places are limited. If we receive more applications than the 10 places available, some applicants may be waitlisted or invited to apply for the next intake in February 2027.
Mentor application
Tell us about your experience and what you’d like to offer.
- Download and complete the form.
- Email it to degrees@cucisaac.edu.au.
- We’ll be in touch about the Mentor Agreement, your online training session and matching.
Download the mentor application form (PDF)
Mentor applications ongoing.
Frequently asked questions
If your question isn’t covered here, please get in touch. We’re always happy to help.
For mentees
What is the Student Mentoring Program?
It pairs CUC Isaac students with experienced industry mentors for regular, structured mentoring across a semester. Alongside your mentor, you take part in three career-readiness workshops, an Opening Event and a Closing Event.
Who can apply?
You need to be registered with CUC Isaac and currently studying a higher education course. If you’re not registered yet, you can register here.
Does it cost anything?
No. The program is funded by the Local Buying Foundation and is completely free to CUC Isaac students.
What am I committing to?
You must attend:
- The Opening Event on Wednesday 21 October, 5:00 to 6:00pm
- All three workshops, on Tuesday 27 October, Thursday 12 November and Thursday 26 November, 9:30am to 3:30pm
- The Closing Event on Thursday 10 December
You’ll also have regular catch-ups with your mentor across the semester.
Do I really have to attend everything?
Yes. Attendance is a condition of taking part, because the workshops and events are the foundation of the program. Please apply only if you can commit to all of the dates. If something unavoidable comes up after you’ve been accepted, let us know as early as possible.
What are the workshops about?
Workshop 1 covers strengths, body language and emotional intelligence. Workshop 2 covers communication styles, confidence and what your workplace wants from you. Workshop 3 covers stepping into leadership and having honest conversations. See the workshop descriptions above.
How many places are there, and how are they offered?
The pilot has 10 places. Places are offered based on the information in your application. If we receive more applications than places, some applicants may be placed on a waitlist or invited to apply for the next intake in February 2027.
How will I be matched with a mentor?
We match you using your application, including your goals, your interests and the industries you’d most like to learn from. You’ll meet your mentor at the Opening Event.
What will I do with my mentor?
You’ll have regular catch-ups across the semester, guided by a simple structure we provide, focused on your goals and your career readiness.
Will food be provided?
We’ll cater for the workshops and events. The application form asks about dietary requirements so we can plan for you.
What if I don’t get a place?
We’ll let you know if you’ve been placed on the waitlist. You’re also welcome to apply for the next intake in February 2027.
For mentors
Who can be a mentor?
Experienced professionals from a variety of industries who’d like to share what they’ve learned with a local student. You don’t need any previous mentoring experience.
How much time is involved?
Regular catch-ups with your mentee across the semester, roughly fortnightly to monthly, plus a short online training session and the Opening and Closing Events.
What training will I get?
A “How to Be a Mentor” session of 1 to 1.5 hours, run online, along with a mentor handbook and handouts before you start. We’ll confirm the date with mentors directly.
How are mentees matched with mentors?
We match using your application and each student’s goals and interests. We’ll share your mentee’s details before the Opening Event, where you’ll meet in person.
Where do mentoring sessions take place?
You and your mentee decide what works best, whether that’s in person, by phone or by video.
Do mentors attend the workshops?
The workshops are designed for mentees. We’ll share the dates and topics with mentors so you know what your mentee is covering and can build on it.
Is mentoring paid?
Mentoring is a voluntary contribution of your time.
Do I need my employer’s approval?
We encourage you to talk to your employer early. The Mentor Agreement includes an optional employer endorsement, and the information for businesses below explains what supporting your team involves.
What support will I have?
CUC Isaac is with you throughout the program, with training, a mentor handbook, a mid-program check-in and a contact person for any questions.
What happens after I apply?
We’ll be in touch about the Mentor Agreement, your online training session and matching with a student.
For businesses supporting staff
Many of our participants are already part of your team, and our mentors are your people too. If your business is supporting a staff member to take part, as a mentee, a mentor or both, this section explains what the program involves and how you can help it work for them.
Why workshop attendance matters
The three workshops are the backbone of the program, and every mentee is expected to attend all of them.
- They are the shared foundation. Mentees work through the same content on strengths, communication, confidence and leadership, and their mentoring conversations build on it.
- Each one is a full day. Missing a workshop leaves a gap that is hard to make up in mentoring sessions.
- They build the cohort. Participants form connections across the group, and those are strongest when everyone is in the room.
- They keep people engaged. A firm commitment from the start helps participants stay on track through to the Closing Event.
What we ask of your business
If a staff member is taking part as a mentee:
- Release them for the three full-day workshops: Tuesday 27 October, Thursday 12 November and Thursday 26 November, 9:30am to 3:30pm
- Support their attendance at the Opening Event (Wednesday 21 October, 5:00 to 6:00pm) and the Closing Event (Thursday 10 December, 5:00 to 6:00pm)
- Talk with them before they apply so the dates work
If a staff member is taking part as a mentor:
- Allow time for the online training session (1 to 1.5 hours), regular catch-ups with their mentee, and the Opening and Closing Events
- Consider the optional employer endorsement in the Mentor Agreement
A short letter of support from your business helps us plan, and shows your team that the program has your backing.
What your business gains
- Staff who grow in confidence, communication and leadership skills
- A closer connection with the region’s next generation of workers
- Recognition as a supporter of local education and workforce development
- No cost to take part beyond your team’s time
About the Local Buying Foundation
The Local Buying Foundation provides funding to support projects and programs which facilitate workforce development and build the capability and capacity of regional business and industry. Its funding makes it possible for CUC Isaac to offer the Student Mentoring Program at no cost to students.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the program or how to apply, please get in touch with CUC Isaac. We’re here to help.
Email: degrees@cucisaac.edu.au
Phone: 0497913251
Visit us: CUC Isaac Moranbah Centre, 35 Town Square Ave, Moranbah 4744
Visit us: CUC Isaac Clermont Centre, 21 Daintree St, Clermont 4721
The CUC Isaac Student Mentoring Program is proudly funded by the Local Buying Foundation.