In a boost in the local employement market General Manager Allan Young said council has advertised for three trainee plant operators as well as a position for an engineering cadetship and is hopeful the positions will be filled by local students about to enter the workforce.

“We want o grow our local talent,” he said.

Mr Young said three plant operator positions are part of council’s succession planning to cater for a number of retirements from its depot workforce in coming years.

He said council has found a suitable training provider to work with the new recruits who will provide additional off-site training for the staff over and above the on-the-job training provided by council.

In addition to the three trainee positions council has also advertised a vacancy for an engineering cadetship.

Mr Young said he is hoping to find someone from the local area keen to take on the position and combine working with council with studying for their engineering degree.

“We may be able to get someone keen to do engineering from the local market, “ he said.

In February 2005 council employed five trainees from the local area who took on positions at both the administration building and on council’s outdoor staff. At that time those positions were funded from council’s industrial land fund.