Launching their careers recently with either a traineeship or apprenticeship at Bundaberg Regional Council has been a valuable stepping stone for 24 young people in the region.
The 2024 intake includes traineeships across a variety of areas including horticulture, conservation management, business administration, community services, theatre technical operations, cleaning, information technology, and this year for the first-time civil construction.
This career boosting program is an important aspect of Council’s service to the community and industry and over many years has been a positive part of its culture.
Manager Human Resources Operations Tony Daniels said there were numerous benefits for Council as well as the trainees and apprentices.
“Council benefits by growing our own talent and this is reflected in high rates of trainees and apprentices who go on to permanent employment,” he said.
“While there is no guarantee, many trainees take up opportunities to continue to work at Council.
“From the 2023 cohort alone, six horticulture and business administration trainees secured permanent employment with Council.
“The program is valuable for trainees as time spent at Council looks good on anyone’s resume and they finish their course with real life work experience.
“Council provides diverse opportunities for those interested in outdoor and indoor work.”
Tony added that Council continued its strong commitment to apprentices and kept relevant trades active and thriving in the Bundaberg Region.
Locals are supported to complete apprenticeships in mechanical, metal and electrical trades.
Aayush Findlay is the first Civil Construction trainee to be employed at Bundaberg Regional Council and he is grateful for the opportunity.
“I applied because I was really determined to learn new skills and go through the traineeship,” he said.
“This will help me to get permanent work that I can do for my entire career until I retire.
“My interest comes from my Dad who does similar work for another organisation.
“He’s explained to me how to do road maintenance and I decided this is something I’d like to do.
“He has told me it can get very hot working outdoors but I’m happy to get a qualification that gives me the skills for future employment.”
After gaining further employment at Council, trainees and apprentices have developed their careers to leadership roles or to undertake further study.
Traineeship led to career in Planning and Development
Paraplanner Renee Dewhurst began her Council career as a business administration trainee more than 10 years ago.
During this time, she worked as a trainee administration officer in Human Resources before moving on to Planning and Development where she accepted secondments as a Paraplanner.
Renee said this led her to an interest in Planning and Development and she had since completed a Diploma of Local Government and Planning and enrolled in a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning Degree at the University of New England.
“I am so proud of how far I’ve come in my professional career,” she said.
“I’m now a passionate member of the Development Group working in my role as a Paraplanner.
“I’ve observed the importance of what planning stands for in shaping our town, regulating developments in growth areas and seeing tangible outcomes that benefit the community.
“When I left high school I couldn’t have imagined the incredible professional journey I was about to embark on.
“Planning wasn’t even on my radar as a career pathway before I started at Council.
“I appreciate how much Council values its employees and their professional development from traineeships to tertiary qualifications.
“These opportunities are life changing for people like me, changing the trajectory of my career with an industry that brings me so much purpose, passion and opportunity.”
Council advertises traineeships and apprenticeships on its website each year around September.
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