A group of New South Wales Councils is moving to secure the long term future of Local Government by pushing ahead with plans to establish a specialised Local Government Graduate Recruitment and Development Program. The program, which was launched in March 2002, aims to get university graduates, and other graduates with up to five years experience, interested in the diverse careers available in Local Government.
It involves university recruits rotating between different local Councils as a part of a graduate development program.
Parramatta, Canterbury, Lane Cove, Liverpool, North Sydney, Rockdale and Warringah Councils have established a steering committee to oversee the program.The committee formed a partnership with human resources specialists Chandler Macleod to get the program off and running through university campuses.
“This is a program that is badly needed in Local Government if we are to continue to build the skills base of our workforce,” said Steering Committee Chairman, Ken Bone.“Local Government has not been aggressive in marketing itself to young graduates who are shopping around the jobs market. The result is that the many people who are coming through university, with new ideas and a greater skills base, are not being exposed to careers in Local Government.”
Under the program, a graduate would spend a certain amount of time working at several different member Councils, within a structured development program. At the end of the development program the graduate could stay on in their job at one Council, or apply for positions at other local Councils.
For further information, contact Ken Bone on (02) 9806 5601
