Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, south east of Melbourne, has inducted a second group of young people into the Wal Morrison traineeship program. Council developed the program in partnership with Swinburne University of Technology three years ago to provide training for 15–24 year old job seekers and to address skill shortages in some Local Government sectors.
Trainees complete a nationally accredited Certificate II in Local Government. During their time on the program, they gain experience in five key areas – governance, infrastructure, finance, environment protection and statutory planning.
This year’s induction follows the graduation of the first five trainees at the start of 2002. From this group, four were offered full time jobs, and one resumed full time study at university.
The Wal Morrison program – named after a former Council officer – was the brainchild of Economic Development Manager, Ralph Kenyon, who floated the idea of a Traineeship and Scholarship Policy in a report to Council’s Forward Planning Committee three years ago.
As one of the Peninsula’s biggest employers, the Shire decided to investigate ways of creating jobs for local youth. Council believed it could provide a range of opportunities for new entrants to the labour market through traineeships and apprenticeships.
Swinburne University helped develop the program, providing specialised electives to make up the Certificate II in Local Government course.
Team Support and Development Officer, Lisa Mills, said training was delivered in house at minimal cost to Council.
“The Shire strives to be innovative and proactive in caring for the Mornington Peninsula by fostering a sustainable future for youth,” Lisa Mills said. “Trainees have individual learning plans, which are supported by workplace coaches. They have structured workshops, coaching, mentoring, shadowing, individual projects and job rotations to gain operational knowledge and complete associated competencies.”
For further information contact Lisa Mills, email milllr@mornpen.vic.gov.au or telephone (03) 5986 0129.
