Young Dalby workers welcomed into Western Downs Regional Council

Western Downs Regional Council is helping kick-start the careers of 30 of the region’s young people with the 2019 Early Career Program — ten of whom are working in the Dalby region.

Council has employed 30 Apprentices and Trainees across several industries including Business, Cinemas, Information and Digital Media Technology, Animal Management and Local Laws, Finance, Rural Services, Civil Construction, Diesel Fitting, Parks and Open Spaces and Events.

Of those 30, ten young people will be working across the Dalby Customer Service Centre, Dalby Corporate Office, Dalby Cinema, Dalby Works Depot and the Dalby Parks and Open Spaces Depot.

Each of these ten young people working in Dalby will finish their Traineeships and Apprenticeships with industry experience and clear career path options.

Mayor Paul McVeigh said he was proud this program would benefit young people in the town.

“Council does have the opportunity as a large employer to be able to offer Traineeships and Apprenticeships to our young people so they’ll see the Western Downs as a great place to live, work and play,” he said.

“Council received a whopping 859 applications for the Early Career Program in 2019.

“That’s great news for us because it shows our young people are really keen to get hands-on experience, local employment and opportunities to stay in our communities.

“We’re really excited to offer these Apprenticeships and Traineeships to young people right across our region.”

The first Early Career Program cohort of 19 young people from across the Western Downs were welcomed to Council with an official morning tea on Tuesday morning where they had the opportunity to chat with the Mayor, Councillors, General Managers and Coordinators.

Michael Glasby, 19, started his Diesel Fitter Apprenticeship in Dalby and said he’s excited to work with all kinds of engines.

“I’ll be working on maintenance to heavy machinery and small machinery like lawnmowers— basically anything that’s got an engine in it,” he said.

“It helps the community and there is a broad range of machinery here, so I’ll probably get the best experience possible for my Apprenticeship.”

Council is currently in the process of finalising one more Business Traineeship and two Traineeships for people with disabilities across the region.

— Ends — Media Contact: Sophie Volker          S enior Media Relations Officer           0419 048 594             4679 4137