Council gives hands-on experience to candidates

Published on 14 November 2022

Kempsey Shire Council is continuing to evolve its trainee and apprentice recruitment process, providing candidates a more real and practical experience.

Traineeship and apprenticeship candidates arrived at the Slim Dusty Centre bright and early on Wednesday 9 November to experience hands-on activities relating to their desired Water and Sewer roles.

The event named the Trainee and Apprentice Information and Selection Centre is now in its third year which Council facilitates for shortlisted candidates so they can get a taste of the roles they’re applying for.

Staff from Council’s Water and Sewer team stretching from the Group Manager to Trainees and Apprentices guided candidates through the activities which ranged from engineering challenges such as building towers out of spaghetti and marshmallows, to a simulated electrical switch installation.

John Gilroy, Manager of Organisational Development at Council said this approach to the recruitment process is a real positive for both Council and the candidates.

“Offering practical tasks to candidates with guidance from all levels of staff in the Water and Sewer team is a fantastic way to show what working for Council is all about,” said Mr Gilroy.

“Council’s outdoor roles are very hands-on so it allows applicants to shine outside a traditional interview setting and gives recruiters an insight into how they will work in a team environment.”

Council will advertise more traineeship and apprenticeship opportunities over the next couple of months. Keep an eye on Council’s Careers page at ksc.pub/careers

Melville High School careers expo

On Thursday 10 November, students from Melville and Kempsey High Schools were treated to a careers information day from local employers, with Council one of the more than 30 organisations in attendance.

A hot topic of conversation with students was the school-based traineeship opportunities that Council offers in partnership with Aboriginal Employment Strategy (AES).

This partnership sees AES use their group training scheme to bring eligible students onboard as school-based trainees when positions become available at Council.

Currently, there are three school-based trainees at Council working in both the outdoor and office areas.

Students interested in learning more about the School Based Traineeship initiative are encouraged to contact Renee McIver at Kempsey Shire Council on 02 6566 3200, or email ksc@kempsey.nsw.gov.au