Award Categories
The AGRIAs categories have grown and developed over the years as our industry has evolved (see the Winners page to see how the categories have changed over time). Every year we conduct a review of the AGRIAs to improve and develop the categories as well as the process for selecting the finalists and eventual winners.
Our general approach is to use the opinions and perspectives of employers, graduates, interns, candidates or delegates to determine the Finalists and Winners in each category. In many cases, we collect votes or ratings for awards via one of the AAGE's annual surveys. This enables us to seek input from a large group of diverse people for each award.
Awards described as 'Most Popular' are determined by counting up the number of votes received for each entrant. Awards described as 'Best' are determined by the average rating received by each entrant.
The 2022 winners will be announced during the AAGE Annual Conference which takes place from Wednesday 26th through to Friday 28th October 2022. Here is some background on each of the Award Categories for the 2022 AGRIAs.
1. Award for Most Popular Integrated Marketing Campaign
This Award is designed to recognise employers that have displayed excellence across their whole marketing campaign. This can include, but is not limited to, brochures, adverts, websites, social media, videos, etc.
Employers are required to submit examples of the elements of their marketing campaign. All of these submissions are placed on the AGRIAs website and AAGE Members are invited to vote for the best campaign.
The Finalists for this Award are the employers who received the most votes for their submission.
2. Will Spensley Memorial Award for Innovation
The aim of this Award is to recognise the employers that have been the most innovative in the graduate market. The innovative measure must be new to the organisation and/or market - therefore something that already exists in the graduate market cannot be 'innovative' for the purposes of this award.
The innovative idea can be anything to do with the attraction of graduates, recruitment & selection of graduates through to the induction & development of graduates. This award relates to innovations by employers - therefore innovations by suppliers, universities, professional associations etc. are not eligible for this award. The use of a product or service provided by a supplier or university is NOT innovative for the purposes of this award.
Employers must provide a written submission in order to be considered for this Award. All of these submissions are placed on the AGRIAs website and AAGE Members are invited to vote for the best innovation.
The Finalists for this Award are the employers who received the most votes for their submission.
Who was Will Spensley?
Will was a talented, driven and intelligent man with a passionate interest in graduate recruitment and innovation. Will pioneered and continuously contributed to many initiatives in the recruitment industry. He was co-founder of Acendre (originally NGA.NET), which in 1998 delivered the first web-based searchable resume database in Australia.
Together with Elizabeth O’Leary in May 2001, Will created Pinpoint HRM (originally Catch22, later named Talent Zone). Despite the name changes, the business has remained true to Will’s original vision – to be a specialist corporate advisory firm raising the awareness of (and assisting employers to adopt) the latest developments in recruitment.
Will partnered closely with the AAGE for a number of years, as the AAGE vision aligned with Will’s belief in developing and improving the graduate industry through innovation. He worked closely with Katrina Harrington to develop the inaugural Australasian Graduate Recruitment Benchmarking Survey, which was released in February 2003. Now known as the Employer Survey, this study makes up part of a full suite of innovative reports provided by the AAGE. Tragically in September 2003, at age 34, Will passed away from conditions associated with a rare illness. Will is constantly missed by all who knew him.
In 2004, the AAGE decided to celebrate Will’s life, passion and commitment to the recruitment industry by dedicating an award as part of the AGRIAs. The Will Spensley Memorial Award for Innovation celebrates originality, creativity and impact…just like Will.
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3. Award for Most Popular Graduate Recruiter
The aim of this award is to recognise the work of individual graduate recruitment staff who carry out the recruitment process on behalf of their employer.
There is no requirement to enter this Award Category.
The Finalists are determined from responses to the AAGE's annual Candidate Survey. This survey summarises the views of up to 3,000 candidates who have participated in selection processes and have been offered graduate employment with at least one employer. As part of the survey, candidates are asked the following question:
"Please name the one representative, and the company they belong to, who made the most positive impression on you during your job search"
Candidates are then given a free text box so that they could name anybody they wished - they do not necessarily have to name somebody from the organisation they are joining.
The responses to this question typically nominate over 600 different recruiters from around 200 different organisations.
The Finalists for Most Popular Graduate Recruiter are the people who received the most votes in response to this question.
4. Award for Best Graduate Employer
The aim of this award is to recognise the employers that provide their graduates with the best overall experience during their first 12 months of employment.
There is no requirement to enter this Award Category.
The Finalists are determined from responses to the AAGE's annual Graduate Survey. This survey summarises the views and experiences of up to 3,000 graduates who have been in employment for around 12 months. Graduates are given a series of questions where they can rate the quality of their experiences during their first year of employment.
The Finalists for Best Graduate Employer are the organisations who received the highest average ratings from their graduates.
5. Award for Best Internship Program
The aim of this award is to recognise the employers that provide their interns with the best overall experience during their internship program. An internship program refers to a period of work experience offered by an employer to an undergraduate student during their degree. We use "Internship" as a generic description for a range of work experience programs such as clerkships, vacation work, summer placements, industry based learning etc.
There is no requirement to enter this Award Category.
The Finalists are determined from responses to the AAGE's annual Intern Survey. This survey summarises the views and experiences of up to 1,600 interns who have taken part in an internship program with an employer. Interns are given a series of questions where they can rate the quality of their experiences during their internship program.
The Finalists for Best Internship Program are the organisations who received the highest average ratings from their interns.
6. Award for Most Popular Supplier
The aim of this award is to recognise the work of suppliers that operate in the Graduate Recruitment and Development Industry. Suppliers in this context means organisations that provide services to the industry such as: aptitude testing; outsourcing; applicant tracking systems; careers directories; job boards; learning and development etc.
There is no requirement to enter this Award Category.
The Finalists are determined from responses to the AAGE's annual AGRIAs Survey. This survey summarises data and opinions collected from the AAGE's employer members. As part of the survey, employers are asked to vote for the supplier that has provided the best quality services over the last 12 months.
The Finalists for this Award are the Suppliers who received the most votes in response to this question.
7. Award for Most Popular Careers Service
The aim of this award is to recognise the work of university careers services.
There is no requirement to enter this Award Category.
The Finalists are determined from responses to the AAGE's annual AGRIAs Survey. This survey summarises data and opinions collected from the AAGE's employer members. As part of the survey, employers are asked to vote for the university careers service that has provided the best quality services over the last 12 months.
The Finalists for this Award are the Careers Services who received the most votes in response to this question.
8. Award for Most Popular Professional Association
The aim of this award is to recognise the work of professional associations.
There is no requirement to enter this Award Category.
The Finalists are determined from responses to the AAGE's annual AGRIAs Survey. This survey summarises data and opinions collected from the AAGE's employer members. As part of the survey, employers are asked to vote for the professional association that has provided the best quality services over the last 12 months.
The Finalists for this Award are the professional associations who received the most votes in response to this question.
9. Award for Contribution to the Graduate Recruitment and Development Industry
The aim of this award is to recognise the contribution of an individual that operates in the Graduate Recruitment and Development Industry.
There is no requirement to enter this Award Category.
The Finalists are determined from responses to the AAGE's annual AGRIAs Survey. This survey summarises data and opinions collected from the AAGE's employer members. As part of the survey, employers were asked the following question:
"Please name somebody who you think should be recognised for their contribution to the graduate recruitment / development industry. They might be a recruiter, a development co-ordinator, a careers advisor, a supplier, a representative of a professional association or someone else, but the service or support they provide makes a positive difference to you or your organisation or the industry as a whole."
The Finalists for this Award are the individuals who received the most votes in response to this question. Please note, you are not able to nominate yourself.
10. Award for Best Graduate Development Program
This award is designed to recognise employers whose graduate programs provide outstanding development opportunities for participants.
There is no requirement to enter this Award Category.
The Finalists are determined from responses to the AAGE's annual Graduate Survey. This survey summarises the views and experiences of up to 3,000 graduates who have been in employment for around 12 months. Graduates are given a series of questions where they can rate the quality of their experiences during their first year of the graduate development program.
The Finalists for Best Graduate Development Program are the organisations who received the highest average ratings from their graduates.
11. Award for Most Popular Exhibitor d for Most Popular Exhibitor at the AAGE Conference
This award is designed to recognise the exhibitors who exhibit at the AAGE Annual Conference.
There is no requirement to enter this Award Category.
The Finalists for this Award are the exhibitors at the AAGE Annual Conference who received the most votes from delegates.
The winners of all the above Awards will be announced during the AAGE Annual Conference which takes place from Wednesday 26th October through to Friday 28th October 2022.
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
Before confirming your entry, please ensure you read and agree to our Terms & Conditions below. Please ensure you read and consider each point carefully, as some terms may change from year to year.
(1) Entry to these Awards is restricted to current financial FULL Members of the Australian Association of Graduate Employers (i.e. EMPLOYER members with an up-to-date paid membership). Only the Employer itself can submit an entry for this award - third parties are ineligible to submit an entry on behalf of an Employer.
(2) Only ONE entry per organisation in each award category will be accepted.
(3) Organisations cannot submit the same entry for subsequent years.
(4) All entries must be submitted in their entirety by the closing date. No entries will be accepted after the closing date.
(5) Your submission will be placed on the AGRIAs website. AAGE members will be invited to view your submission along with all the other entries for this award. AAGE Members will then be invited to vote for their favourite submission.
(6) Your submission may also be shown at the AAGE Annual Conference which takes place from Wednesday 26 October to Friday 28 October 2022 in Melbourne.
(7) If your organisation is selected as a finalist for this Award, then a representative from your organisation MUST attend the AAGE Gala Dinner in Melbourne to potentially accept the trophy. The Gala Dinner takes place from 6.30pm to midnight, Thursday 27th October, 2022. (Registration can be made via the AAGE Conference web page at www.aageconference.com.au)
(8) If your organisation is selected as a finalist for this Award, then a representative from your organisation MAY be scheduled to deliver a presentation at a workshop during the 2022 AAGE Annual Conference. This workshop will allow conference delegates to hear from the organisations who have been selected as finalists in this award category.
(9) Full details of the Award categories, definitions, eligibility, criteria, entry and decision process are shown on the AGRIAs website www.agrias.com.au.
(10) The Awards decisions are final. No correspondence will be entered into. No feedback will be provided for unsuccessful entries.