In rural areas it is generally recognised that there are shortages of skilled labour and New South Wales’ Lachlan Shire is no exception. Council has established its Training for the Future Program that provides trainees with full time employment, while assisting them to achieve national competency standards.
It allows staff to further their education while improving morale, productivity and skill levels. Flexible learning opportunities meet individual needs through self directed learning, online courses, tutoring and several group training sessions hosted by Council. Government cash incentives are used to fund further training.
The program prepares residents to compete in the local and national job market and provides them with employment opportunities.
Council has employed trainees across the organisation to ensure appropriate skills are being developed. Up to 17 trainees are employed by Council at any one time.
To date qualifications achieved by staff include the following:
- Certificate III in Business, Civil Construction (Plant) Civil Construction (Roads) Community Studies, Assistants in Nursing and Water Operation
- Certificate IV in Carpentry, Workplace Assessment and Frontline Management
- Degrees in Health, Building and Engineering.
When Lachlan Shire Council is unable to provide the specific training and experience required, trainees are sent to work outside of Council. Currently a trainee carpenter is working on a Council project but with an external carpenter to build required skills.
The program was a finalist in this year’s NSW Local Government Management Australia Excellence Awards. For further information contact Roger Bailey, General Manager, on (02) 6895 4444.
