Young professionals are getting a 'fresh start' to their careers at Lake Macquarie City Council through a partnership with the NSW Government.
The Fresh Start program has prompted hundreds of apprentices, trainees and cadets to sign up to work at councils across NSW since its inception, with the Hunter Region one of the State's biggest intake areas.
More than 13 per cent of all new recruits outside Sydney and the Blue Mountains are learning their trades in Hunter councils, including 11 in Lake Macquarie.
Lake Macquarie City Council Trainee Technical Officer Charlotte Cox said she had been studying architecture at university when she decided to shift focus to the Fresh Start program.
She now works with Council's Geotechnical team, investigating potential development sites and lab-testing soil samples, while studying Civil Construction Design at TAFE.
"In my role, there is a good balance of hands-on and computer-based work," the 21-year-old said.
"It's a good way of putting what I'm learning into action, especially if you don't mind getting your hands dirty."
Cadet Surveyor Mark Norris, also 21, said the program provided an opportunity "to work alongside qualified surveyors, learn from their work, and use what I learn on projects of my own".
"I'm learning not only how individual surveyors go about their work, but how the industry works as a whole," he said.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said Council was hosting almost 50 trainees, apprentices and cadets to help build skills and add diversity to its workforce.
"These young professionals are gaining hands-on experience, developing essential skills and contributing to the delivery of services and infrastructure our community depends on," he said.
Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said he had seen first-hand the program's benefits for communities, particularly in regional areas.
"This landmark investment by the Minns Labor Government will help ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital workforce, which provides the services and builds the infrastructure we rely on every day," he said.
Go to lakemac.com.au
