Media Release - Trainee and Apprenticeship Opportunities Ahead

Hinchinbrook Shire Council has applied for funding for a further four trainees to begin in the 2018/2019 financial year. The four new positions will add to the 18 trainees and 5 apprentices who have been employed by Council since 2016.

Mayor Ramon Jayo commended the previous Council’s efforts to bolster the number of trainee and apprentice positions within the organisation and reiterated that Council will continue to support trainee and apprenticeship opportunities for members of the community.

‘Trainees and apprentices are a key part of Councils succession plan and provide the opportunity for younger people in our community to learn and grow their skills in a Local Government environment,’ Cr Jayo said.

Previous trainee positions have been in the fields of Human Resources, Records Management, Information Technology, Arts Administration, Conference and Events, Finance, Development and Planning, GIS (Geographic information Systems), Local Laws and Stores. 

‘We have had some great outcomes with the traineeship program with 9 out of the 11 participants from the original intake having since gained full time employment within their respective fields and another participant also going on to a higher education pathway,’ Cr Jayo said.

Acting CEO James Stewart said in addition to the seven trainees currently working with Council there are five apprentices who are completing their trades with Council. 

‘Council currently have 5 apprentices who play a valuable role within the organisation in the fields of Carpentry, Plumbing, Fitting and Turning, Mechanics and Parks and Gardens. The enthusiasm and application they bring to learning their trade is great to see.’

PROFILE - CAREER PATHWAY MAPPED OUT BY TRAINEESHIP OPPORTUNITY

Local lad Jacob Harpin has mapped out a career in the world of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the digitisation and collation of assets via a Council traineeship which he began in 2016.

Council’s GIS information is a database of spatially referenced information that can be used to produce maps or to find answers to specific land related questions, such as appropriate land use, ownership, elevation and zoning. GIS data can be constantly updated to reflect the most recent knowledge available.

When asked about his experience participating in Council traineeship program, Jacob said ‘I really enjoyed my traineeship and the opportunity to learn about GIS data and how it can be applied to Council operations or enquiries from the public. Working with new and emerging technologies presents a lot of opportunities for the future and it is great to be a part of that.’

Jacob’s role also gives him the opportunity to develop his skills in capturing data via drone imagery, ‘Drones are used by council for a number of purposes including inspecting areas which are difficult to reach or to get aerial feedback on the progress of works. I really enjoy being able to capture some great images from the sky above.’

More information regarding Trainee and Apprenticeship opportunities will be advertised on the fortnightly Council’s Connections page in the Herbert River Express and via Council’s website, Current Vacancies page.