Located 60 kilometres north east of Adelaide, Barossa Council is investing heavily in its youth. Council is providing an opportunity for young people to experience the types of work duties undertaken by Councils and is showcasing the career opportunities available to them.
Barossa Mayor, Councillor Brian Hurn, said that Local Government is a large employer of people, offering many opportunities for young people to get involved in a range of careers such as administration, clerical, finance, environmental health, information technology, planning, engineering and media.
“Local Government is one of South Australia’s largest employers, with more than 9,000 employees across 68 Councils,” he said. “It is not only important to keep bringing young people into Council workforces, but to provide short term work placements and longer term traineeships for them.”
Council recently welcomed Josh Hopkins into its workforce as an Environmental Health Officer. Josh has completed a three year Bachelor of Environmental Health course at Flinders University and will be responsible for the inspection of food premises, assessing applications for septic tanks, health promotion and Council’s school student immunisation program.
The position is Josh’s first full time placement in the workforce and he is pleased to be working and living in the Barossa.
Another young resident, Sam Beales, just completed
Year 12 and has commenced a 12 month traineeship with Council in the information technology area. Sam will work closely with Council’s Information Systems Coordinator and will undertake a Certificate 3 IT course at TAFE during 2008.
In addition, Jake Hollitt, who has just completed Year 10, has started a four week work placement with the staff at the Tanunda Works Depot. Jake is particularly interested in horticulture and the maintenance of parks and gardens and is keen to pursue a career in engineering or a related profession.
Council has also welcomed Callum Rosenzweig and Henry Griscti, who are currently completing their summer work placement programs. They will have the opportunity to experience working in the various departments of Council and learn of the careers that are available to them in Local Government. Callum and Henry, who have just completed Year 12 and
Year 10 respectively, are working four days a week for a junior wage until their placements finish at the end of January.
Mayor Hurn said he was pleased with Council’s investment in youth and hoped that all five young people would enjoy their work and learn of the diverse activities and services provided by Local Government to the community.
