The Local Government Training Institute (LGTI) is one of the undoubted business success stories of the Hunter Councils group.
Located in a purpose built training centre adjoining Hunter Councils administrative offices, the Registered Training Organisation conducts a wide range of training courses to support operational, administrative and management professionals employed in Local Government.
LGTI now employs 18 full time staff as well as a host of experienced Local Government trainers who support a rapidly expanding client base of councils and industry organisations.
A large proportion of LGTI’s services involve legislative compliance training for outdoor workers, such as traffic control, OH&S courses and plant and equipment training.
While over 10,000 participants undertook short course training through LGTI in 2010, the Division also has over 700 people currently enrolled in nationally recognised qualifications from Certificate III up to Diploma and Vocational Graduate Certificate levels.
LGTI has also developed a reputation for assisting councils to access government funded traineeships.
These traineeships can provide a valuable supplement to already stretched training budgets in a climate of limited resources.
Specialised courses are available in the areas of town planning, building surveying, rating, regulatory services, and food inspection to name just a few.
Most of the traineeship programs, which vary in duration from one to two years, can be provided through a range of delivery modes.
These include classroom based delivery either at LGTI or onsite in council offices, by distance education, or by mixed mode, which incorporates self directed study with periodic blocks of training.
In response to the growing demand for flexible delivery, the Division has recently invested heavily in e-learning technology, which will increase the level of interactivity, support and access to training by regional and remote councils both in Australia and the Pacific region.
