More trainees and apprentices

First year electrical apprentice Simon Czerwonka steps Mayor George Seymour and electrician Daniel Gossip through his work on a switchboard at the Pulgul Street Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Fraser Coast Council, Queensland, is about to recruit 11 new trainees and apprentices thanks to a grant through the Local Government Association of Queensland from State Government’s First Start Program.

Mayor, George Seymour, said, “Creating jobs for our youth so they don’t have to leave the region is very important to Council.

The First Start Program primarily targets young Queensland school leavers and disadvantaged job seekers considered at risk of enduring prolonged periods of unemployment.

Chief Executive Officer, Ken Diehm, said Council was a strong supporter of the First program.

“In the past two years Council has been able to support 19 traineeships and apprenticeships under the government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work’s First Start program.

“These new positions will lift that to 30 positions.

“The Fraser Coast is growing and there are many projects underway or in the pipeline which are creating a stable and growing, economy.

“Many of those projects would be a fantastic training ground for apprentices.”

“Of the 11 trainees and apprentices employed last year, only one has left us and five trainees have moved into fulltime positions.

“We are very focussed on building, training and retaining staff to ensure that Council is at the forefront of providing quality services to ratepayers.”