Start your career while at high school

Recruiting for key positions at Gwydir Council had become a persistent, on-going challenge. It was time for a new approach to succession planning, training and engaging the ageing workforce - or face the possibility of simply not having enough people to provide vital services to the local area.

One new approach, school based traineeship and apprenticeship programs, are now an integral part of the council's workforce planning strategy. They are run on approval of the Department of Education and Training in co-operation with local high schools and TAFE and coordinated by Australian Business Limited Apprenticeships Centre (ABLAC).

All job roles are considered. School based trainees and apprentices have worked in the pool, gym, child care facilities, on Council's front counters and in three traditional trades.

According to Rod Smith, Training and Development Manager, 'Over 70% of local students will not go to university'.  Rod concedes there have been some challenges, such as integrating young people into an older workforce, but says there have been many achievements.

One such achievement is the progression of Alex Stones from school based trainee to the role of Community Recreation Officer.

Alex commenced a Community Recreation school based traineeship at the Bingara Swimming Pool, when she commenced Year 11 at Warialda High School.

The flexible timetable of the school, allowed Alex to work at the pool one day a week while completing her HSC. She also assisted with the Swimming Club on Tuesday nights and with general and kiosk duties on a weekend.  Duties included everything from conducting water quality tests to administration and mowing the pool grounds.

Additional studies in Fitness meant Alex could also help out at the local, council-owned gym.  This is now where she spends most of her time as the Gwydir Shire Council's Community Recreation Officer.

At just 19 years old, her role is to manage the gym, and also to assist with lifeguard duties at the pool, swimming lessons and coordinating vacation care activities.

Alex said, for the time-being, she wanted to live locally to 'stay around for council and return the favour'.  She is grateful for the opportunity to undertake a qualification and for the extra training invested in her - Gwydir Council funded her Auswim and lifeguard courses, as well as her Certificate III in Fitness.

'I can't imagine what I would have done had the opportunity at the pool not come up, I've really enjoyed it' she said.   Alex continues to gain valuable experience while completing a further Fitness qualification.