Applications are now open for 33 jobs within Lake Macquarie City Council’s Education to Employment (E2E) program, which provides on-the-job experience while participants study for a formal qualification.

Council pays a salary, as well as course fees and paid study leave, and provides mentoring by skilled professionals and teams.

Talent Acquisition Coordinator, Penny Howell said the latest intake included five female-only Trainee Works Assistants, who would rotate through a variety of outdoor roles traditionally occupied by males, and a female-only Cadet Civil Engineer.

“Addressing the gender divide was one of the biggest issues to come out of the recent national jobs and skills summit,” Penny said.

“Our program tackles that head-on, diversifying our outdoor workforce and getting women qualified in non-traditional roles.”

The intake also includes five Trainee Works Assistant positions and one Trainee Arts, Culture and Tourism position designated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

CEO, Morven Cameron said almost 20 per cent of positions in the E2E program were allocated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants.

“It’s a rigorous process to establish these positions as targeted employment opportunities for a specific sector of our community, whether it’s a particular gender or other group,” Morven said.

“Each year, we put together an application to Anti-Discrimination NSW to justify why, what the need is, how we will support the person in that role, and what level of success we have had with that group in the past.”

Former Glendale Technology High School student, Jordan Hull recently started full-time work with Council after joining E2E last year as a Trainee Works Assistant.

The 21-year-old said an aversion to the prospect of a desk job prompted her to apply.

“I had no experience at all with working in a construction setting but knew I wanted to work outside,” Jordan said.

“I started out worried about not knowing anything, but I had so many opportunities to do things I had never done before and just jumped in and had a crack at everything.”

Arts, Culture and Tourism Trainee, Madalyn Edmonds also began her E2E tenure in 2021, playing a key role in developing and delivering major events across the city.

“I’ve worked on developing children’s digital and creating programming for STEAM Week, the Dobell Festival, the Fast and Loud Festival and Up in the Air,” Madalyn said.

“Working on a diverse range of events and projects and working with an array of teams has really helped develop my skills.”

Lake Macquarie Mayor, Kay Fraser said she was proud Council was leading the way with addressing the skills shortage and diversifying its workforce.

“Programs like E2E set participants on a path to success. The support, training and mentorship they receive is second-to-none and is testament to our commitment to creating jobs for people at the start of their careers,” Kay said.

IMAGE | Former E2E participant, Jordan Hull landed a full-time job with Council after her traineeship