Ignite MNC 2019 – Featured Speaker – Mark Almond
In our fourth interview of speakers and presenters that will be attending Ignite Mid North Coast Symposium 2019 we are featuring Mark Almond.
On November 6, Mark will be speaking at the Slim Dusty Centre, located in the beautiful Macleay Valley and location for this year’s event. Ignite MNC Symposium 2019 will bring together creative thinkers and inspired innovators from within the region and beyond to talk about “Your World 2030”.
If you live in the Mid North Coast or have ever considered relocating to the region be sure to come along, tickets are available HERE
Mark currently works in an employer liaison role as part of strategic engagement for the Australian Government Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business. He covers an area that includes from the Central Coast, up to the Queensland border.
Previous to this position Mark worked in the public sector with a focus on supporting business on the ‘demand side’ of the labour market.
Having experience also in the private sector where he worked in several industries and in differing roles from HR Manager for a multi-disciplined engineering consultancy that included a professional labour hire service to time spent as a computer programmer and network administrator.
Beginning his working career as a trades assistant to boiler makers and welders on site shutdowns his diverse range of skills and experience help to better understand the needs of the people he works with.
With his busy schedule and constant travelling we were lucky enough to catch up with Mark for a quick but entertaining Q&A interview.
Where did you grow up?
I came to Australia from England at the age of 3 as a ’10 pound Pom’ and grew up in the outer western suburbs of Sydney.
Given the choice between living in the city or country which would you choose and why?
Coastal country–apart from the lifestyle, it is the people. Regional Australia has a true spirit of community.
Describe your area of expertise?
Supporting business and employers around tackling skills, recruitment, retention and workforce planning needs – providing advice, information and assistance with access to supports and programs that are available. Also working with organisations and sectors to identify needs and develop local place based solutions that require a strategic and collaborative approach.
Your world 2030, what will it look like and what do you hope will have changed?
Personally, still being above ground and doing the grey nomad thing with my wife, enjoying everything this country has to offer will look pretty good. I do hope humanity develops more collective humanity for the sake of my children and their children.
What is the greatest hurdle you have had to overcome in your career and how did you do it?
A sustained period of unemployment for 9 months in my early working life was very deflating and challenging financially, emotionally and psychologically. I got through it with perseverance and resilience – 9 months of knock backs and then 5 job offers in one week!
If you could solve one problem or issue what would it be?
My complete lack of ability to carry a tune or dance with any sort of rhythm – tone deaf and 2 left feet L
What advice would you give your younger self?
Pretty cliché but don’t waste time or effort…we get one shot and you don’t want to waste it on regrets.
If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be and why?
My mother – she passed before she got to meet and enjoy her daughter-in-law and her grand children
Best advice you have being given?
Maybe not advice but a statement that resonated with me from somebody who’d just gained her first job…
“You don’t realise what you’re capable of until you’re given the chance to be capable” powerful statement
What are you looking forward to most about attending Ignite MNC 2019?
Being in Kempsey on the Mid North Coast, of course!