Tourism WA Future Leaders Program

Tourism WA, in partnership with Edith Cowan University’s Business Executive Education team, will soon be announcing the next instalment of the Future Leaders Program

Have you got your sights on a management role, but need targeted training to help you take that next step? Just moved into your first position where you will be managing or supervising a team of people?

The Tourism WA Future Leaders Program is designed to bridge that gap, giving you the tools you need to succeed. It will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to advance into leadership roles within Western Australia’s tourism and hospitality sector.

The Future Leaders Program is supported by Tourism Western Australia and training will be facilitated by ECU’s Business Executive Education team. The Leadership Masterclass is fully subsidised by Tourism WA through the Tourism Workforce Development Program. Valued at $3,250, the Masterclass covers all program delivery, materials, refreshments and lunches, at no cost to successful future leader nominees.

What will you gain?

The Leadership Masterclass is delivered through two intensive, two-day workshops each designed to build your confidence and capability as a future leader in tourism and hospitality.

Across both sessions, you’ll dive into practical, hands-on learning focused on developing core management competencies, including:

  • Strategic decision-making and problem-solving
  • Effective communication techniques
  • Stakeholder engagement and change management
  • Setting and benchmarking KPIs
  • Leadership styles and team building


Workshop 1: Leading with Impact
Explore different leadership styles and discover how to inspire and motivate teams both individually and collectively. This session lays the foundation for confident, values-driven leadership.

Workshop 2: Building Your Leadership Toolbox
Gain versatile skills tailored to the dynamic environments of tourism and hospitality. Learn how to adapt your leadership approach across diverse roles, situations, and challenges

 

After each workshop, participants are encouraged to complete optional assessment pieces: a written report and a reflective practice. These are designed to reinforce your learning and support your personal and professional growth. Participation is optional and non-compulsory.

For those considering further study, there’s an academic pathway available. By completing the assessments through this pathway, you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) within ECU’s School of Business and Law, a valuable step toward future tertiary qualifications.

Eligibility Criteria

The program is designed to upskill those in the tourism and hospitality sectors to move into middle management and leadership positions or individuals who have recently taken on additional responsibilities and are supervising staff with limited previous experience. It is open for all within those sectors, however, priority will be given to applicants from tourism and hospitality industry operators.

  • Must reside in Western Australia
  • Must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Currently employed in a full-time role within WA’s tourism or hospitality sector

Workshop dates and locations 

Applications are now closed for the South West instalment of the Future Leaders Program – please check back in early 2026 for the next instalment of the program

Please note that attendance at both two-day intensives is a mandatory requirement for all selected participants.

Supporting regional attendees

A regional Attendance Bursary is designed to support participants’ attendance in the Future Leaders Program, and employers may be eligible for a bursary of up to $500.  Employers in regional and rural Western Australia are encouraged to apply for the bursary to support the travel and accommodation expenses they may incur to facilitate an employee’s attendance through the Program. Bursary applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and if successful, the travel bursary will be paid to the employer.

To qualify for financial assistance:

  • The employer must demonstrate a genuine need for financial support to cover the travel/accommodation costs of the participant(s) attending the Program from their business.
  • The employer must confirm their intention to cover the cost of travel and expenses on behalf of the participant and may be asked to provide relevant documentation.

How to apply

  1. Speak to your manager about endorsing your application. Ask them to download and complete the Future Leaders Program Employer Endorsement Form Alternatively, download the form yourself and share it with them.
  2. Email your completed Employer Endorsement to the Business Executive Education team: ExecEducation@ecu.edu.au
  3. Complete your application form through the link below.

 

Please note that only applications which include both a completed Employer Endorsement AND an application form submitted by you will be deemed complete and progressed through to the selection stage.

 

 

Applications are now closed for the South West instalment

 

Key Information

Nominations Open: Applications are now closed for the South West instalment of the Program
Nomination Deadline:Applications are now closed for the South West instalment of the Program
Program Commencement: Monday 20th October 9.00am
Download: Future Leaders Program Employer Endorsement Form

 

Boost your career in the WA Tourism and Hospitality industry and contribute to the growth and resilience of the visitor economy.

Future Leaders Program Testimonials

We met with Casey on a couple of occasions during / post the program. She loved it!It was refreshing for her to be back in a structured learning environment – the timing was good for us as she has been moved into more senior positions of responsibility.Her comment that stood out was that she “…enjoyed putting the study into practical use in her weekly duties at Varnish”, which was great to hear!Her confidence, improvement in performance and general improved output as a result was definitely noticed!The opportunity for us to have someone included was fantastic – a third party investing in our team is something we embrace. Often our staff get sick of hearing from their S&J peers. So having learnings being shared from outside our business with our team is great. Casey is part of a really tight-nit team at Varnish – I have no doubt she spruiked the program with the rest of the team as well.  
Andy Freeman, CEO, Sneakers and Jeans, Cohort 1 - Endorsing Manager
The course was an incredible experience and left me feeling truly inspired and energised about my career! It gave me the confidence and the right tools to grow into the kind of leader I want to be. Since completing it, I’ve already had the chance to apply so many of the lessons, and I’ve seen a real difference in how I lead and support my team.One of the highlights for me was hearing from the amazing guest speakers. Each one brought a unique perspective, and it was so valuable to learn from different leaders across the industry. The lectures were also fantastic, they were so supportive and brought a wealth of insight and expertise that made every session meaningful.A real turning point for me was reflecting on what kind of leader I am and who I want to become. That self-awareness, combined with learning about building trust in the workplace, has helped me bring my team closer together and lead with more confidence and clarity.I’m so grateful for everything I learned, thank you again for such a powerful and uplifting experience! 
Casey Hayes, Bar Manager, Varnish on King, Cohort 1 - Participant
I really enjoyed my experience at the Future Leaders Program. I found it to be a great introduction into the specifics of leadership and the psychology and effects of different leadership styles.The team running the program were amazing and very clear and the units included were cohesive and informative.Since the program, I have a new understanding of the type of leadership I want to display and have putting in more thought into how I’m leading and teaching my team, especially as we have new staff that are being trained. I think it is a great program for those new to leadership and management and looking to upskill.
Josephine Edson, Events Manager, The Bell Tower Home of the Swan Bells Perth, Cohort 1 – Participant
Having the opportunity for two of our staff participate in the Future Leaders Program has been a great experience for us and our team. It has been wonderful to see them develop and unfold into their own while they learn practical and applicable management skills for their roles.I have witnessed their confidence grow, knowing that they had the capacity and support to personalise their management and leadership according to their own values and personalities.Our organisation values teamwork and trust, and it’s great to see them take ownership as leaders, not only as part of their roles, but as vital contributors to the culture of our workplace. 
Alsa Padayachee, Chief Operating Officer, The Bell Tower Home of the Swan Bells Perth, Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 – Endorsing Manager
The Tourism WA Future Leaders Program, delivered in partnership with Edith Cowan University, plays a pivotal role in developing the next generation of leaders in WA’s fast-growing tourism and hospitality sector.At Duxton Hotel Perth, we were proud to have Courtney selected to participate in this prestigious initiative. Throughout her journey, Courtney consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, resilience, and a growth-oriented mindset - applying her insights to drive meaningful improvements within our restaurant team and broader food and beverage operations.Beyond individual development, the program delivers clear benefits to employers and supports the long-term advancement of the tourism workforce. It is a forward-thinking investment in service excellence and leadership capability.We extend our sincere appreciation to Tourism WA and Edith Cowan University for their vision and collaboration in delivering this impactful initiative. Programs like this are critical in bridging academic excellence with real-world industry needs, and we strongly encourage other employers to engage with and support this outstanding opportunity. 
Teresa Garbo Lee, Hotel Manager, Duxton Hotel Perth, Cohort 2 - Endorsing Manager
Thank you for the opportunity to be part of the Future Leaders program. I found the experience valuable for my professional growth and personal confidence. The lecturers - Nicki, Fleur and Aglae were extremely knowledgeable, engaging and were exceptionally generous with their expertise when answering questions.  My key takeaways include the impacts of trust within teams, practical strategies to strengthen teams and the opportunity to research global impacts within the tourism industry. As a Reservations Manager for a long-standing local Tourism operator, I believe its important to apply the knowledge from the future leaders program to my team and workplace to cultivate growth and continuously improve workplace standards.I enjoyed connecting with other like-minded professionals in the Tourism industry who shared the same professional values and standards. The conversations were thoughtful and tourism related, creating an environment for in depth discussions and networking.
Samantha Walsh, Reservations Manager, Perth Wildlife Encounters, Cohort 2 - Participant
I recently completed the Tourism WA Future Leaders Program, and I really appreciate the opportunity. I can confidently say it has been one of the most impactful learning experiences of my career. Each module provided valuable insights, practical tools, and fresh perspectives that I’ve already begun implementing in my daily work. This program has sharpened my managerial skills, improved my decision-making, and given me a structured approach to leadership. This program transformed my leadership approach by teaching me to make data-driven decisions, foster psychological safety in teams, and communicate with clarity using tools. I’ve implemented practical strategies such as goal setting, stakeholder mapping for consensus, and weekly reflection to refine my effectiveness. The most impactful insights were adapting leadership styles to context, prioritizing innovation through inclusivity, and optimizing time management for measurable results. All 8 modules have been particularly transformative. I highly recommend this program to any professional looking to elevate their leadership impact. 
Xiaojiang Wang, Executive Housekeeper, Crown Resorts, Cohort 2 - Participant
Looking back, the Tourism WA Future Leaders Program really felt like a milestone in my professional development, both in terms of learning and building my confidence. The guest speakers provided valuable insights into the industry, and I learned a lot from their experiences.I also enjoyed diving into leadership styles and how they can be tailored to suit different situations or challenges. The session on process mapping was another big takeaway, and I’ve already started using it to improve how we handle certain workflows.Fleur, Nickey, and Aglae were phenomenal, and I thought the course was well-structured and organised. Lastly, it was great to network with others who are at a similar stage in their careers and as a class, it was nice to bond over shared experiences that are unique to the tourism and hospitality industry.I’m happy to share that I have walked away with a bunch of practical tools and fresh perspectives. 
Tyler Davie, Reservations Manager, Mackerel Islands, Cohort 1 – Participant

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