Hervey Bay’s JR Marketing Group Director Josh Rimmington said he knew the digital marketing agency did not have to look far when recruiting new, skilled talent into the business.

Mr Rimmington said his firm had provided casual or part-time work to four USC students from the Fraser Coast campus at various stages of their studies and this led to them all being offered full-time employment.

“We have been – and continue to be – impressed with their knowledge, attitudes and work ethic as together we develop and expand within the constantly evolving digital marketing industry,” he said.

“Their theoretical marketing knowledge and experience derived from their university education have transferred excellently to the departments of the business, including marketing, social media and events.”

JR Marketing Group’s team includes head of websites and communications Ian Dickinson, who graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Business (Marketing), social media manager Charlotte Russell who completed a Bachelor of Communication last year and social media assistant Olivia Hay, who recently completed a Business degree, majoring in tourism and marketing.

Office assistant Beth Welsh is in her final semester of a Business (Marketing) degree.

Mr Rimmington said there were great mutual benefits in its partnership with USC, including internships, work experience and employment opportunities for local students.

“Retaining young local talent ensures that the region keeps adapting and building the industries it needs to sustain its population and economic growth,” he said.

“As much as we were able to assist the students, the students have assisted the business through the contribution of their current, relevant industry skills.

“Offering big city roles in a regional area also ensures that our young talent is able to stay closer to family and use their skills to benefit the local community.”

Application are open to study at USC in Semester 1, 2021.