Traffic snarls or the open road? The choice is simple for employees in Mitchell Shire who have swapped grid locked roads for accelerated career opportunities.
Mitchell Shire Council and key employers like the local hospital, are well aware of the importance of attracting and retaining staff in the country, and consequently have introduced some innovative measures. The GoGrad Program run by the Municipal Association of Victoria has seen two recent graduates join Mitchell Shire Council, presenting them with opportunities neither employee had considered while studying.
Tse Min Chang, a construction management graduate from the University of South Australia joined the Building Department and is enjoying the variety of work her role entails, whilst Piotr Rutkowski is now working in the Infrastructure Department as a Graduate Engineer.
“I am not limited to one area of work and the variety will enable me to establish a strong foundation which will really drive forward my careeer development,” Piotr Rutkowski said.
In addition, traineeships, programs to attract overseas engineers and fast tracking promotions have all contributed to attracting and retaining staff at Mitchell.
Meanwhile medical students and registrars working in Seymour are really made to feel at home when they move into a modern, furnished three bedroom house during their posting. A number of businesses and community groups collaborated to buy the house through a Federal Government grant.
The Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV), one of the groups responsible for the purchase of the house, believes acquiring the house was a proactive way to attract doctors to Seymour in country Victoria.
“It was a great result for the community,” said Dr Jane Greacen, RWAV Chief Executive. “We have an attractive residence for registrars and medical students to make their experience much more enjoyable.”
The house has been in continuous use since 2002 and has accommodated 11 rural trainees and medical students.
“The idea is that the registrars and students enjoy their stay in Seymour, appreciate country living and return one day to practice,” Dr Greacon said.
Each of these innovative approaches to employment is making new staff feel welcome as they embark on their ‘treechange’.
