At the recent Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Annual Conference, held on 31 October and 1 November, the opportunity for Local Governments to employ more graduates was presented by four Deakin University students. In a joint project with the MAV, the Deakin University students investigated what students thought of working for Local Government and what Councils thought of recruiting graduates.
The research that the Deakin University students presented was eye opening. Four out of every five students interviewed had not considered working for local Councils, while 62 per cent were not aware that Councils employed people in their fields of study. It was also found that there were no active steps being taken by Local Government to market opportunities to the graduate market, and few local Councils had developed policies in relation to graduate recruitment.
In their presentation to delegates, the students urged Councils to establish a graduate recruitment program to tap into this valuable resource. Soon-to-graduate students from country and regional areas expressed an interest to return to work in these areas, should the positions be available. Employment of new graduates would bring fresh ideas to Council operations.
The MAV has now embarked on a project to encourage Councils to recruit graduates. One of the Deakin presenters who will graduate shortly, Vicky Mavros, has been employed as the project officer. The aim is to assist Councils to develop highly structured recruitment processes that apply to every manager and business unit, as well as promoting employment opportunities at the graduate level through wider recruitment techniques.
For further information contact MAV Project Officer, Vicky Mavros, on (03) 9667 5518.
