The Shire of Murray in Western Australia recognises that offering employees an opportunity to enhance their knowledge is a key factor in attracting potential candidates and retaining quality staff.
The Shire offers opportunities for staff to acquire nationally accredited qualifications that provide them with enhanced career opportunities, skill development, and accreditation to meet Occupational Safety and Health responsibilities.
In addition to increasing the training budget, funding for these training schemes has also been granted via the National Workforce Development Fund through Government Skills Australia.
Thirteen managers and supervisors completed the Diploma of Management, and 10 employees are currently undertaking the Certificate IV in Business through training courses offered to staff.
In addition, eight of the Shire’s Parks and Gardens employees are currently completing a Certificate III in Parks and Gardens through an adult apprenticeship.
All units for these qualifications are delivered as one-day interactive workshops on site.
The Shire of Murray has also employed approximately seven trainees, a majority of which have then been offered permanent employment within the Shire at the conclusion of the Traineeship.
The success of the Shire’s training program has been measured through annual staff satisfaction surveys, which indicate a higher percentage of employee satisfaction for the training program each year.