NSW state insurer icare has hailed the achievements of 20 students from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) in a celebration of its Industry Partnership Award.  

The contest, which was jointly hosted by icare and UTS, challenged undergraduate business and management studies students to develop strategies focused on helping govern hybrid working teams and incorporating workforces back into offices. 

The students were selected to work in groups before presenting their work to three senior leaders from icare, who awarded winners across categories of inclusion, innovation, leadership and compassion.  

icare Group Executive People and Culture Amanda-Lea Smith says each winning group acknowledged and identified the importance of employee wellbeing to enhance engagement and establish a strong workplace culture.  

“The winning entries all offered post-covid solutions for building culture, career-pathways, learning and delivering new staff access to mentors,” Ms Smith said.  

“I loved seeing the passion of under-graduate students trying to road map positive futures.”  

UTS Business School Professor Carmel Foley praised the contest for providing students with an experience that helps set them up for future employment.   

“It’s really important for our students to work with real-life clients and make a difference,” Professor Foley said.  

“When you are actually working with a real-life client and in the real world, it makes learning much more authentic and meaningful.”