CUC Bass Coast
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Join Our Team – Widening Participation Officer (WPO)

CUC Bass Coast is seeking a passionate and motivated individual to join our team and help champion higher education opportunities for students across our local region.

This role is ideal for a self-starting, enthusiastic person who is committed to widening participation and supporting regional and remote students to access and succeed in higher education.

View the position description CUC Bass Coast PD Widening Participation Officer_Jan 2026

Application process

This role involves delivering widening participation and outreach programs that support young people to aspire to and access further education.

To be considered for the position applicants are required to provide a resume and letter of application containing a response to the following three major accountabilities of the role:

1. Community Based Program for young people  

The WPO develops and delivers widening participation and outreach programs in local schools throughout South Gippsland and the Bass Coast in collaboration with university partners, community groups and local industry. Describe a community-based program or initiative that you have delivered in the community with a focus on young people ; including your role, how the program was implemented (including stakeholder or community engagement), the impact achieved, and any key learnings.

2. Stakeholder Engagement and partnership management

The  The WPO works collaboratively with schools, universities, community organisations, and industry partners. Provide an example of a time you worked with external stakeholders on a project, program, or event. Describe your role, the outcomes achieved, and how the partnership contributed to mutual or shared goals.

3. Student support and mentoring

The WPO works collaboratively on team projects that support student success, contributes to community-based initiatives, and help achieve the strategic goals of CUC Bass Coast.

Describe a time you implemented strategies or initiatives to support individual or group learning needs in an educational setting. Outline your role and the outcomes achieved, including improvements in engagement, confidence, skills, or academic performance.

Please note:

  • A current Victorian Working with Children Check and Drivers Licence are mandatory requirements of this role.
  • Confidential enquiries are available by contacting Centre Manager Sarah Bourke at sarah.bourke@cucbasscoast.edu.au or 0439 001 573.
  • Applications close 5 pm Friday 6 February 2026 and are to be emailed to CUC Bass Coast Centre Manager,  Sarah Bourke (as above)

Become part of the future of regional education in the Bass Coast region.

Join a group of passionate life-long learners who are dedicated to changing the future of rural education. ­Your role with the CUC Team will play an essential part bringing degrees close to regional and rural Australia.

“I love working with people whose passions and motivations align with my own. Being part of the CUC Family has been incredibly rewarding. We are all here working together to drive positive change for regional and rural communities – you can’t beat that.”

  • CUC Team Member

Our students are our greatest champions. If you are currently registered as a CUC Student and are interested in becoming a Student Ambassador, please email degrees@cucbasscoast.edu.au

Spread the word

Know someone who would benefit from accessing CUC’s supports and service?  You can send them a link to this website, our social media pages or send them a flyer.

The need to support regional higher education students is unequivocal with those living in country areas half as likely to obtain a degree than their metropolitan counterparts.

We know that students who study locally are more likely to engage in the local workforce, providing country businesses with new opportunities to employ highly trained local professionals. That’s what makes our local community ownership and support so critical to our success.

We are on the lookout for new community champions who are interested in providing community support, engagement, and ongoing partnerships to continue to provide this essential service in the mid to long-term. Any collaboration would help support regional and rural communities to learn and excel.

We firmly believe that your postcode should not predetermine your potential. CUC Bass Coast has worked collaboratively with regional and rural communities with a shared purpose to increase equality of opportunity for higher education.

Every day, across our network we see, hear, and experience how we work is changing people’s lives for the better.

We believe that grass-roots community support is a vital component of our long-term viability. Every donation helps us in our goals to support regional students to succeed.

The Foundation of Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) is supporting CUC Bass Coast through its not-for-profit fundraising account. This means you can make a tax-deductible gift to FRRR and FRRR will make a grant to CUC Bass Coast of the money raised.

If you would like to support regionals students reach their potential, you can donate to the CUC general fundraising account, or directly to CUC Bass Coast. Please donate here: Community-led projects- Non-for-Profit Organisations, alternatively Donation Form- Country Universities Centre