Developing Future Leaders Program (DFL)
Program Overview
Developing Future Leaders is an intensive five day residential program held at the Australian Institute of Police Management on behalf of the Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC).
It is a professional development opportunity for both operational and non-operational personnel who have demonstrated leadership potential through workplace activities and community involvement.
The program focus is personal growth. Participants work with recognised industry leaders to explore their individual strengths, increase their understanding about effective leadership and refine strategies for improving personal performance. Group work and social activities will provide opportunities for developing and strengthening professional networks.
The collaborative learning model on which the program is based includes interactive seminars, case studies and personality profiling, supplemented with experiential activities and reflection. Industry leaders present the latest thinking about leadership, personal development and organisational effectiveness.
A major syndicate project is an integral part of the program. This activity is designed to challenge thinking and stimulate ideas about new ways of achieving results with people. The success of this project also depends on how effectively members can work as part of a high performance, task focused team.
Program Sponsor
The sponsor for this program from 2002 to 2006 has been Dulux Paints and Bunnings. From 2007 Smorgon Steel Group Limited will sponsor this program. The Smorgon Steel Great Scrap Round-up™ is a joint venture in conjunction with AFAC aimed at raising funds for emergency services throughout Australia. As part of the Round-up Smorgon Steel donates 25% of every $15 it receives per tonne of scrap metal collected by campaign participants to AFAC to fund and develop leadership development programs for emergency services staff and volunteers.
Smorgon Steel has committed to supporting the 2007 Developing Future Leaders program in recognition of the importance of leadership and the need for the fire and emergency services to develop future leaders who are prepared to face the challenges of a constantly changing and challenging environment.
Benefits for Agencies
Agencies nominating program participants benefit from:
- Increased motivation and organisational commitment;
- Greater preparedness for dealing with challenges and changes in the public safety sector;
- Increased self awareness;
- Strong professional networks; and
- Enhanced leadership skills
Benefits for Participants
Program participants benefit through development of:
- A clearer understanding of individual leadership capacities and styles;
- An increased awareness of how individual personality influences behaviour;
- Professional networks and strategic alliances which will enhance personal development, mentoring and inter-agency liaison; and
- Enhanced awareness of significant issues facing the fire services and other public safety organisations.
Nomination Guidelines
Nomination guidelines have been provided to assist in the selection of nominees who will obtain maximum benefit from the program. Industry sponsorship underpins the operation of the AIPM including admission requirements to programs.
Being an industry based learning institution, admission to AIPM programs is dependent on selection of a candidate by the student’s home agency – nominations from individuals are not accepted. This ensures all participants have the co-requisite industry experience and confirms organisational endorsement that students of AIPM programs are considered capable of successfully achieving the program outcomes and have the ability to apply their learning in their home agency environment.
Participants will be drawn from both operational and non-operational personnel and volunteers within fire and other public safety agency members of AFAC.
Selection Criteria
- Nominees must have either recently been appointed, or be about to be appointed, to their first leadership position;
- Nominees must have been identified by their organisation as having the capacity to individually benefit from the program and to transfer their learning to the workplace
- Nominees should have demonstrated potential for further advancement
- Nominees should have demonstrated their capacity to act effectively as a representative for their organisation
- Nominees should have demonstrated commitment to the broader community beyond their workplace role.
Course Dates
Nomination forms can be obtained from the AFAC web site and should be forwarded to AFAC via your agency’s central contact person.
All applications should be accompanied by a recommendation from the CEO of the nominating agency.
See course dates here.
Further Enquiries
Please contact the Faculty Administration Manager for further information.
