Across Australia, Local Governments are looking at various youth training programs to overcome a skills shortage. Councils, particularly in remote areas, are targeting school leavers and introducing trainee programs to attract young employees to Local Government.
At Beaudesert Shire Council in Queensland, six young people started work last month to gain practical experience in the workforce while studying for TAFE accreditation. They will gain experience working in areas such as human resources, promotions, customer service, information technology, library and records while working toward their TAFE certificates.
Council receives State Government funding under the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative to hire the trainees, who work with Council for a year to gain valuable skills.
Mayor, Councillor Joy Drescher, said it is an opportunity to strengthen the skills of young people. “Through traineeships, these young people in our community can get a headstart in the workforce,” she said.
In the Northern Territory, Darwin City Council has just taken on six young trainees aged between 16 and 17 years old. As part of Council’s commitment to encourage early school leavers to attain on the job training and experience to further their future employment or study prospects. A total of $100,000 has been budgeted for these 12 month traineeships.
One trainee who has previously contributed significant volunteer time with Youth Services has been placed in community services, while two young people will be working in Library and Information Services.
Prospective trainees apply to enter the program through the Northern Territory Group Training. They are shortlisted and then interviewed, with successful candidates receiving placements.
