Council's new traineeships provide lucrative opportunities for Eurobodalla youth

The Eurobodalla Shire’s Youth Employment Traineeship Scheme (YETS) has returned for another year, offering three young residents the opportunity to undertake a two-year paid work experience program dubbed “the career sampler”.

To sweeten the deal even further, council will also cover the cost of each applicant’s Cert III and IV in business, which they will complete one day a week alongside their on-the-job training.

Run on an annual basis, the program is designed to equip school leavers with the skills needed to launch their career without having to leave the region.

In addition to footing the bill for their studies, this year’s scheme will also pay three successful applicants between $1200 and $1700 a fortnight while they work across different occupations within the council.

On-the-job learning will be facilitated across three areas of council business – recreation services, libraries, and creative arts.

With a wide breadth of experiences offered, the program also promises to benefit participants regardless of their career direction.

In addition to community engagement, the traineeship will teach participants valuable skills in areas such as customer service, data input and analysis, events and project management, and file and record maintenance.

While the traineeship program has operated for years, 2024’s intake will be the first to work on a rotational basis whereby trainees work in each category for eight months across a two-year period.

“It’s hard to know what to do when you finish school,” learning and development officer Kate Brierley said.

“We’ve designed our youth traineeship program to help you figure that out. It’s about giving young people exposure to different career options while building some valuable core skills.”

Speaking to Region last year, 2022 trainee Stella Dennis said she applied during her gap year after realising she no longer wanted to study nursing.

“I heard council looks after you and it’s actually good pay for a trainee, plus I will get a Certificate in Business out of it, which I could take anywhere.”

Applications for council’s youth traineeships close on Wednesday 31 January, with work starting in early March.

Those interested in applying can do so via the council’s vacancies webpage, but they must be residents of the shire under the age of 21.

In order to apply, leavers must submit their most recent school report and satisfy the requirements of a police check.

There will also be two information sessions run by the council employment service Job Shop.

The sessions will run applicants through what it’s like to work for the council. It will also provide attendants with resume tips, and will advise how to respond to selection criteria and interview questions.

The first session will be held in person on Monday 22 January from 3 to 4 pm at The Job Shop, 53 Queen Street, Moruya.

A second online session will also be held on Wednesday 24 January from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.

Those interested in attending must reserve a place by contacting Amy from The Job Shop on 4474 7380 or [email protected]