Central Highlands Regional Council welcomed ten trainees last week through the First Start funding program. It’s the third year that council has taken part in the program, which is funded and supported by the Queensland Government under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work Initiative.
Training Officer Aleisha Catip said the program allows council to hire additional trainees and gives opportunities to young people and disadvantaged job seekers to gain nationally recognised qualifications and twelve months employment by undertaking a traineeship.
‘Council is proud to be part of the program and, in welcoming these trainees, looks forward to supporting them through their traineeship,’ she said.
‘They will go out to the local workforce as confident employees with qualifications backing their practical skills.
‘This is a rewarding experience for the trainees because they are investing in their future, and also for council because it’s fostering a progressive environment for job seekers in the local economy.’
Four out of the ten trainees are diesel fitter apprentices, two are in civil construction, two are learning horticulture, one is in information technology, and one is working in asset management.
Kirralee May Wildermuth started as an asset management trainee and says she appreciates the opportunity to begin her career at the council and working in local government provides her with stability and the opportunity to learn from a variety of people.
‘I eventually want to grow in the business industry and everyone is so friendly here, I don’t think I have seen someone who is not smiling today, which is a good sign when you come into a business,’ she said.
Currently there is one annual trainee intake. The recruitment period starts in October for a January start date and applications can be made online through the council website vacancies page.