School-based trainees, graduates start career development at TRC

Five school-based trainees and two graduates are among the latest intake of training and professional development positions at Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC).

TRC People and Organisational Development portfolio leader Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan said the new trainees and the apprentice would spend one or two days per week learning new skills with TRC electrical or horticultural teams while completing their schooling. (electrical apprentices are required to complete two days per week)

“Council is committed to offering diverse training opportunities to secondary school students via the school-based traineeships and apprenticeships,” Cr O’Hara Sullivan said.

“After liaising with Downs Group Training (DGT), Council will host the latest trainees and apprentice as part of their development.

“Four of the new trainees are enrolled in a Certificate II in Horticulture while the fifth student, a school-based apprentice, is undertaking a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician.

“Council also is hosting two existing school-based trainees (who are undertaking a Certificate III in Business and started a few weeks ago). In addition, another trainee who is enrolled in a Certificate II in Horticulture and a school-based apprentice (who is enrolled in a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician) have started with Council.”

DGT Employment Services coordinator Marsha Schwenke said the 2019 school-based trainees were directly employed by the organisation and hosted by Council.

“DGT is the training provider for the horticultural and business administration courses. The students are exposed to hands-on, practical training which allows then to apply skills in a work environment,” she said.

“We also visit the students at their respective job sites during the course of their training.”

Cr O’Hara Sullivan said Council also welcomed two graduates as part of Council’s Generator Program, which was started in 2009 to advance specialist training for undergraduates and graduates.

“In this intake we have an Engineering graduate working in our Project Services branch in the Infrastructure Services group and a Human Resources graduate working in TRC’s People and Organisational Development branch,” Cr O’Hara Sullivan said.

“Linking the participants with practical work experience in their professional field has many benefits for Council and the employees.

“Investing in our workforce ensures Council maintains an optimum balance of skilled professionals to continue upgrading vital infrastructure and enhancing our service delivery to the community.

“It also maintains our skill base and staff progression to counter inevitable transfers and retirements.

“This is a well-rounded program, which gives employees extensive experience across a range of disciplines in their chosen field.”

Cr O’Hara Sullivan said Council was employing eight graduates, seven cadets, seven interns and three scholars (recipients of a TRC/USQ scholarship). In addition, Council’s current workforce also includes 28 apprentices and 30 trainees, including the latest inductees.

Caption: Top: TRC’s People and Organisational Development portfolio leader Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan with TRC’s new Generator program undergraduates Michael Rickwood (left, human resources graduate) and Samuel Faulkner (engineering graduate) with trainee Kristin Brown, who is completing a Certificate II in Horticulture.

DGT Employment Services coordinator Marsha Schwenke (left), DGT Training Operations manager Michelle Fowler (right), TRC’s People and Organisational Development portfolio leader Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan and TRC People and Organisational Development acting manager Michael Courtney (second from right) welcome incoming trainees Dawson Collins (Harristown State High School), Daniel Sippel (Darling Downs Christian School), Braith Wessling (Harristown State High School), Seth McGilvray (Highfields State Secondary College), all horticultural trainees and Christopher Powers, a school-based apprentice (St Mary’s College, enrolled in a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician).