With the appointment of a new General Manager in December 2005, Coffs Harbour City Council reviewed its vision and identified the creation of youth employment opportunities as a key area to be developed. General Manager, Stephen Sawtell, recognised Council’s ageing workforce and saw a need to attract younger people to the organisation.
Council’s Organisational Development Officer, Wendy Heathcock, said a number of potential areas for youth traineeships were identified, which have since been advertised and filled.
“We now have 18 trainees across Council, in areas including information technology, engineering, administration, and planning,” she said. “Due to a whole of organisation review that took place last year, we are still ascertaining further areas where trainees can be placed. Our goal is to eventually have a total of 25 trainees, which is five per cent of our total work force. Further positions will be advertised in coming months.”
Wendy Heathcock said each trainee is appointed a mentor, who passes on their expertise and guides the trainees’ work with Council.
“To date we have had approximately 60 staff who have volunteered to participate in the traineeships,” she said. “Some purely advise and teach the trainees, while others are involved in assessing workplace tasks.”
To assist trainees with their integration into the workplace, Council held an afternoon tea, specifically for them to meet each other and develop networks.
For further information contact Wendy Heathcock on (02) 6648 4254.
