Victorian Minister for Local Government, Melissa Horne, has announced a $6.3 million pilot program to address workforce shortages in councils across Victoria.
The two-year pilot will be delivered by a consortium of higher education providers led by RMIT University, filling skills shortages in areas like engineering, town planning and allied health.
Local Government Earn and Learn program participants will commence training in 2025, creating more job pathways for local government workers wishing to retrain and new opportunities for jobseekers.
“Our ‘Earn and Learn’ program will ensure workers have the skills they need to deliver the council projects and services that communities rely on,” said Minister Horne.
By connecting education providers with councils, the free program will help Victorians get the skills they need to work in local government and deliver important services and infrastructure across the state, the Minister said.
RMIT, Federation University, Swinburne University of Technology and Victoria University will collaborate with the local government sector to identify skills shortages and co-design training to directly address workforce need.
“The ‘Earn and Learn’ program will support provide tailored, flexible training programs that equip graduates with the hands-on experience they need to be job-ready,” said Minister for Higher Education, Gayle Tierney.
All 79 local councils in Victoria will be invited to participate in the program, addressing skills shortages across the state so that councils can deliver key services and projects.Â
The Australian Services Union has welcomed news of the training program.
“The ASU welcomes the state government’s commitment to increasing opportunities for skill training and apprenticeships in our 79 councils. Local government workers are the backbone of our communities, and the essential services they provide will be strengthened by this program,” said ASU Secretary Tash Wark.
Information about the program is available at localgovernment.vic.gov.au/earnandlearnprogram.
