8/07/2026
Once a month, IEP Australia opens up an informal Teams meeting, puts the kettle on, and invites members, Fellows and Friends to log in for a chat.
Hosted by Karin Ridgeway FIEP, Country Manager at IEP Australia, and colleagues, the virtual morning tea is exactly what it sounds like – a relaxed, no-agenda catch-up rather than a formal webinar or training session. There’s no presentation to sit through and no pressure to have polished updates ready. You simply join with your cuppa, say hello, and see where the conversation goes.
What’s the Vibe
The format is deliberately casual. It’s a chance to:
- Share what’s happening in your organisation, from new programs to challenges you’re navigating
- Reach out to others across the sector for support, ideas or collaboration
- Reconnect with familiar faces and meet new members and Fellows
- Have the kind of relevant, off-the-cuff conversation that rarely happens in a scheduled agenda item
It sits alongside IEP Australia’s other IEP Connect initiatives, which bring employability professionals together around the country, but the morning tea is the most low-key of the bunch. Think of it as the workplace equivalent of leaning over the fence for a chat with a neighbour, except the neighbours are colleagues from across the employment services sector.
Who Can Join
The invitation is open to IEP members, partners and Fellows, and everyone is encouraged to pass it on to their teams. The more people in the (virtual) room, the more ideas, opportunities and support get shared.
Stay Connected
In a sector that can be demanding and, at times, isolating, having a standing, informal space to connect with peers matters. These morning teas aren’t about ticking off professional development hours or ticking off a training requirement. They’re about the simple, valuable act of staying connected with the people doing similar work around Australia.
So next time the invite lands in your inbox, block out the time, make your cuppa, and come along. You might just find the person on the other end of the call has exactly the idea, contact or bit of encouragement you needed.
Want to join the next virtual morning tea? Keep an eye on your inbox for the invitation, or get in touch at australia@iemployability.org