When it comes to workplaces, Wollongong City Council has one of the most diverse and rewarding around.
Not every workplace can boast the opportunity to work in a team environment focussed on working with the community. Which is why Council's annual Cadet, Apprenticeship and Trainee intake has long been a popular way for young people or those looking for a career change to get into the workforce.
Since it was introduced in 1990, Council's dedicated program has facilitated more than 300 cadetship, apprenticeship and traineeship placements. However, we've had a long history of supporting a range of apprentices, trainees, cadets, undergraduates and graduates dating back to the late 1980s.The current program isn't targeted solely at school leavers and those in tertiary education, but is open to people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience.
"This program supports our future mechanics, engineers, marketers, plumbers, civil construction workers and city planners access the skills they need to succeed," Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said.
"Local roads don't get built without dedicated Council engineers, library story times become impossible without passionate library staff, development applications for new housing aren't assessed without skilled Council planners.
"Our program has the double benefit of ensuring we've a diverse and skilled workforce ready to deliver the diversity of work carried out by Council each and every day. It also means locals can enjoy meaningful work in the city in which they live.''
The program has benefitted Council greatly with many of the apprentices, trainees and cadets continuing to work with Wollongong City Council. In addition, many of our apprentices, trainees and cadets have been recognised in their chosen field including the recent award received by Council Cadet Casey Flemming. She collected the IACRR Prize for Water Quality Engineering at the University of Wollongong Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences Awards Night.
"Soon, we'll roll out our annual round of recruitment for cadets, apprentices and trainees and I can tell you it's a competitive application process. We'll be calling for new cadets, apprentices and trainees in roles as diverse as a cyber security cadet, a civil engineering cadet, a horticulture trainee, an electrical apprentice and a preventative health trainee to join our existing cohort of 38 cadets, apprentices and trainees currently working across Council," Mr Doyle said.
"The added bonus is that you also have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to our community by working with us. Plus, you are part of the team that ensures Wollongong is a great place to live, work and play now and into the future.''
On Sunday 28 July, New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, announced the $250m injection for apprenticeships and traineeships in local government. This will complement Council's long-standing commitment. This funding will support 1,300 apprentices and trainees to learn on the job in councils in every Local Government Area across the state.
"Wollongong City Council welcomes the Minns Government's investment in local government apprenticeship and trainees programs. This funding will go to good use to fill the gap in knowledge left by the growing skills shortage," Mr Doyle said.
