At a time when experts express concerns about skills shortages in the
Australian labour market it is refreshing to hear about employers who
promote traineeships and apprenticeships. Blacktown City Council is
such an employer. The Council employs more than 30 apprentices in Trades such as Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanics and Horticulture.
According to USU Organiser Adam Jacka the apprentices and trainees are generally young people, some of whom are in their first job out of school. "As the Federal Government boasts about school leavers getting jobs it does not address the need for skills and learning for our future generations of workers. Employers like Blacktown Council are taking strategic action," said Adam Jacka.
As part of this commitment, USU members Jeff Holdsworth and John Jordan employed in the Trades Section at Blacktown City Council, have volunteered to help these young workers in the workplace.
They have recently met with the apprentices in a combined meeting with Supervisors, Human Relations, the Union and the Apprenticeship Commission explaining their roles as mentors.
"It is commendable that the management at Blacktown City Council is at the forefront of the recruitment and training of apprentices and trainees. I congratulate Jeff and John who have taken on the role of guiding them. This is a great example for other employers," said USU General Secretary Ben Kruse.
