Regional employers often face difficulties keeping highly qualified staff, but a new learning partnership between Kempsey Shire Council and the North Coast Institute of TAFE is providing a practical staff incentive. The partnership, believed to be the first of its kind in NSW, reflects Council’s commitment to providing development and training opportunities for its staff.
Located on the mid north coast of NSW with a population of 28,000, Kempsey Shire Council is a progressive and customer focused organisation.
The partnership training program is funded by Council and delivered by the North Coast Institute of TAFE, under the auspices of the Australian Graduate Management Consortium.
Council staff will have six years to study for a Masters in Business Administration in four stages. Eleven employees started the program in February and another three will begin stage two this month.
Mayor, Councillor Janet Hayes, believes the learning partnership will have a major benefit in meeting future staffing needs.
“We are recognising and supporting the capabilities and potential of our staff and providing training to meet the future leadership needs of our growing Shire,” she said. “This initiative will have far reaching benefits to those people who are undertaking further study, and to the Shire and the region.”
Council Environmental Administration Assistant, David Carroll, and Community Services Coordinator, Melanie Booth, have both started the program.
“In a town of Kempsey’s size you usually can only do this level of study by leaving town or by correspondence, so when the opportunity came to do a course like this with Council’s backing, I jumped at the chance,” David Carroll said.
Melanie Booth hopes her studies will enable her to contribute more to the local community.
“To me this is a wonderful opportunity to do further study that leads to a university qualification, in your home town where you have the support of your family and peers,” she said.
