The Allan Labor Government is helping more Victorians get the skills and training they need for a career in local government, following a successful first year of the Earn and Learn pilot program.
The Earn and Learn program has been made possible by a $6.3 million investment from the Labor Government for a two-year pilot program, which enables universities to deliver educational courses to council staff that address essential workforce shortages in Victorian councils.
Minister for Local Government Nick Staikos today visited RMIT University to acknowledge the hard work and commitment this year's Earn and Learn graduates, and to announce the start of the next phase of the program.
Four universities are delivering the program, with courses including 'leading and mentoring' at RMIT, 'critical thinking and sustainability' at Swinburne University, and 'mental health and resilience' at Victoria University.
These courses will be joined by a new course from next year - 'change management' at Federation University.
Next year's program will also work towards developing on-the-job learning pathways at local councils, which may include apprenticeships, traineeships, cadetships, and degree apprenticeships.
These models will be designed to ensure they meet the specific needs of local government, meet industry standards for each role, and provide assisatce and support to maximise of employee retention rates.
The program will provide the skills required for a career in local government and deliver important services in areas such as civil engineering, urban planning, building surveying, environmental health, IT and cybersecurity.
All 79 local Victorian councils are eligible to participate in the Earn and Learn program to help address skills shortages across the state and deliver key services and projects.
For more info visit localgovernment.vic.gov.au/our-partnerships/earnandlearnprogram
As stated by Minister for Local Government Nick Staikos
"Earn and Learn will address skills shortages in local councils by training workers and supporting retention and progression within the local government sector."
"Everyone benefits from Earn and Learn - councils will have access to a trained pool of motivated, diversely skilled workers to fill roles, while graduates and employees will have access to secure employment while building their skills."
