A regional development leader has earned a place in a national training initiative supporting people, businesses and communities recover from the impacts of COVID-19. 

Mark Fletcher, of Wimmera Development Association, is among the latest participants in ‘The Horizons – International Engagement Leadership Program’.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in partnership with Regional Australia Institute, is delivering the program – designed to equip economic development officers with a better understanding of how to help businesses to harness trade and investment opportunities as part of recovery strategies from the pandemic.

Industry and government trade experts will facilitate weekly interactive online sessions and masterclasses until November. Participants also have access to mentoring and networking opportunities tailored to their goals. 

The program started earlier this month, for the second time this year. 

Mr Fletcher said a working relationship between WDA and RAI had opened doors for him to participate in the program. 

“The Regional Australia Institute is the nation’s first and only independent think tank dedicated to building robust regional economies and a better quality of life in our regional towns and cities. RAI is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organisation that undertakes research to stimulate and activate our rural and regional communities,” he said. 

“Due to our work in migration, workforce attraction and tourism, I saw this as an opportunity to align some relevant training to some of the work that WDA undertakes.

“I am looking to learn new skills, make a wider professional network and bring skills to a number of our internal programs.” 

Mr Fletcher said participants would become a Horizons alumni, connecting them to a vast network of national and international organisations.

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