Fostering leaders in Wyong

Colette Marsden presents Todd Churchill with his Certificate IV in Frontline Management

To ensure their employees can deliver an extensive range of local government services, Wyong Shire Council use a coordinated approach to workforce development across a range of training programs.

Located one hour north of Sydney, the council employs 1,200 staff responsible for delivering more than 170 distinct and essential services to over 155,000 residents.

Wyong Shire’s Leadership Development Program was specifically designed to support their emerging leaders with a variety of experiences and practical skills.
Participants gain management and leadership skills, increase their knowledge of council, create individual development plans to support their career path, and achieve nationally recognised qualifications.

The program is offered to staff in a variety of roles, enabling them to progress to higher qualifications depending on their career planning, including a Certificate IV in Frontline Management and a Diploma of Management.

A graduation ceremony was held in December for the second group of Wyong Shire Council staff who successfully completed the Level 1 Leadership Development Program.

The 18–month program saw the successful candidates walk away with their Certificate IV in Frontline Management. During this time the group developed their networking and friendships were formed.

Learning and Development Advisor, Colette Marsden, said this is why she loves her job.

“It’s an absolute pleasure and privilege to be a part of the learning journey of the Leadership Development Program groups,”

Asset supervisor Todd Churchill was nominated by his class for the Peer Award for his contribution in class and shared experiences that helped with their
collective learning.

“It was a great opportunity to network and share my experience with others. I learnt new tools that I have and will use to further my skills in a management role within Council. It’s also a great way to wake the brain up and change the way we do things,”