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Employment Programs Provide Skills & Training

Over sixty percent of the participants (have) gained employment

By Jeremy Bain - 4th February 2003 - Back to News

In the past twelve months over one hundred Latrobe citizens have participated in employment and other work experience programs run by Latrobe City Council. The programs are designed to develop work skills and provide valuable on-the-job experience for local people.

Latrobe City’s Mayor, Cr Tony Hanning, said Latrobe City was very keen to improve skills and employment in the municipality. "The programs have offered a range of projects such as Work for the Dole, traineeships, internships, Community Jobs Program projects and work experience for students. All these are designed to help a wide range of people in the community obtain training and employment," Cr Hanning said

"Such programs have helped participants to build their confidence and professional development and go on to future employment and study," he added.

Latrobe City’s Employment Development Co-ordinator, Joanne Brunt, said a highly successful program run by Latrobe City Council has been Work for the Dole, in which nine of the twelve participants gained paid work during or on completion of the program.

"The Work for the Dole program teaches people skills in areas such as administration and community care, and aims to help them acquire training in areas that they are interested in," Ms Brunt said.

One participant, Brian Hillbrick, said he had started off as a work for the Dole participant with Council and was then offered a traineeship based with Council’s Information Technology area. "Last year I was successful in gaining a full-time position as an IT systems officer," Mr Hillbrick explained.

"Initially I was unsure about employment programs but I was pleased to find they provided me with the right skills and opportunity in the career path I was seeking," he added.

Ms Brunt said that another program conducted with a similar success was the Community Jobs Program. "Latrobe City has run four of these programs with over sixty percent of the participants gaining employment," Ms Brunt said.

"Latrobe City is also concerned about youth training and employment and is proud to offer a range of programs aimed at young people. We currently offer work experience, traineeships and internship programs which aim to provide local young people with skills and employment in areas that interest them."

The internship program runs in conjunction with Monash University, Gippsland Campus and offers a student experience in areas relevant to their degree. The program is designed to keep high level achieving students studying and working in Gippsland. Four interns are currently involved in the program with Latrobe City, one in IT, media relations, employee strategies and finance.

A traineeship and an Indigenous Traineeship Program are also in place and are designed to teach people skills in areas such as administration, finance, performing arts, events and parks and gardens. "This program has helped many people in the local community develop skills that are relevant to their interests," Ms Brunt said.

"We have had many people participate in our traineeships programs who have found employment either at Latrobe City or at another organisation.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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