Graduates will have the opportunity to fast-track their career pathway and access industry specific training and professional development through Townsville City Council's new-look graduate program.
Launching in 2022, through the two-year program the Council expects to take on up to 12 graduates across the engineering, information technology, and environmental health disciplines.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said Council is a leading employer in the city and is always looking for ways to create jobs and build capacity in the community.
"As a regional city with two major universities, it's important that we focus on building capacity among our graduates and give them an opportunity to flourish in Townsville," Cr Hill said.
"While we have always had graduates working with Council, we are thrilled to expand this program to create more opportunities and upskill our community.
"In 2022, we're looking at taking on up to 12 graduates in areas where there are skill shortages in Townsville and provide young people a path forward for their careers.
"There is the potential for these positions to turn into permanent positions with Council at the end of successful completion of the program. That will help keep our graduates in Townsville, instead of having them go to major cities to find a job."
Business Services and Governance Committee chairperson Margie Ryder said the graduate program would adjust each year depending on the needs of the community and the organisation.
"For 2022, we're looking for graduates in engineering, IT and environmental health as we've seen skills shortages in these areas, but this may change in following years," Cr Ryder said.
"This two-year program will provide our graduates with the opportunity to work closely with a professional mentor and the graduate cohort will also deliver a business or community focused project together in the second year.
"This will give them practical experience in the public service sector and allow them to develop on-the-job critical thinking and project management skills."
