While many Australian councils are experiencing a shortage of civil engineers, Wollongong City Council, located 80 kilometres south of Sydney, has a strong reputation for attracting and retaining skilled engineers through its annual intake of cadets.
Council currently has seven engineering cadets, who are studying at the University of Wollongong and gaining valuable on the job training. However, for many of Australia’s regional councils that don’t have a world class university at their doorstep, this is simply not an option. To help combat this problem, Wollongong City Council has joined with nearby Shoalhaven City Council to pilot a shared cadet program.
Through the inaugural scheme, local student Ryan Howes will share his time between the two Councils over the next eight years. For one semester he will work full time with Wollongong City Council, while studying part time at university. He will then work full time for six months at Shoalhaven City Council, followed by a semester of full time study back in Wollongong.
Ryan said the shared cadet program will allow him to complete his engineering degree, while gaining practical skills and experience in engineering projects across two very different areas.
“Working for two councils will give me a chance to work on engineering projects such as the construction of roads, drainage, timber and concrete bridges, and will also allow me to undertake surveying across two Local Government areas,” he said. “This will give me access to a wider range of facilities and training. For example, water treatment facilities are available at Shoalhaven and not Wollongong.”
To overcome the logistical problems of working for two separate organisations, the two councils have bought a local training group on board to officially employ Ryan and oversee his training program on their behalf.
Wollongong City Council’s Human Resources Officer, Roger Hope, said the program was an important step in tackling a skills shortage, which is predicted to continue into the future.
“This is just one way we’re putting long term strategies in place to help ensure there will be a quality supply of trained professionals into the future,” he said.
For further information contact Wollongong’s Human Resource Division on (02) 4227 7076.
