Future Leaders Program: 2025-2026
Applications for the 2025-2026 Future Leaders Program have now closed.
Thank you to everyone who applied. This page remains available for information about the program but links to application and endorsement forms have been removed. Future rounds may be announced on this website.
About the program
Are you preparing for your first leadership or management role, or are you an employer with a high-potential team member ready to step up?
The Future Leaders Program builds practical management capability for emerging leaders in WA’s tourism and hospitality industry, strengthening the workforce pipeline for WA’s visitor economy.
Supported by Tourism Western Australia, training will be facilitated by Edith Cowan University Business Executive Education department. 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, material, refreshments and lunches, at no cost to successful applicants.
The program returns to Perth in March 2026 at ECU’s new Perth CBD Campus.
What participants gain
Participants complete four intensive days of applied learning focused on the skills required of new managers, including:
- Decision making and problem solving
- Effective communication strategies
- Stakeholder engagement and change management
- Setting and benchmarking KPIs
- Leadership and team building
2026 workshop dates
Intensive 1
Monday 9 & Tuesday 10 March 2026
Leadership styles and motivating teams
Intensive 2
Wednesday 25 & Thursday 26 March 2026
Practical leadership tools for tourism and hospitality workplaces, including an industry networking sundowner
Eligibility criteria
The program is designed to upskill those in the tourism and hospitality sectors to move into middle management and leadership positions. Applicants from tourism and hospitality industry operators are given priority. Please note, this program is not for senior managers.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- reside in Western Australia, though exceptions may be considered for participants on temporary work visas
- be 18 years or older
- be employed in a full-time role within WA’s tourism or hospitality sector
- be nominated by their employer as a future tourism leader
- be part of an organisation submitting no more than two nominations.
Regional attendance eligibility
Participants in regional Western Australia are encouraged to apply. To support travel expenses, successful applicants may be eligible for a travel bursary of up to $500.
To qualify for financial assistance:
- Both nominee and business/organisations must be located outside the Destination Perth boundary.
- Applicants and their employer must demonstrate a genuine need for financial support to cover travel costs for attending the workshop.
Bursary applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Funding is limited.
Key dates (2026 program)
Nominations opened: 9am Thursday 22 January 2026
Applications closed: Friday 13 February 2026
Program commenced: Monday 9 March 2026.