Positive response to school-based apprenticeships
Wednesday June 17, 2010
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Cobar High School Principal Sue Francisco and Acting Deputy Principal Shane Carter with Council’s Human Resources Officer Karen Irvine.
A push by Cobar High School (CHS) to further promote the benefits of School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships to local employers has been met with very positive response.
A group of approximately 20 people representing a cross section of local businesses attended an information evening held earlier this month at the Cobar Bowling and Golf Club.
CHS principal Sue Francisco said she was “exceedingly pleased” with the turn out to the meeting and even more pleased with the positive feedback from employers who are keen to take on school based apprentices and trainees next year.
“The support from community for the program has been outstanding,” Mrs Francisco said.
“This program helps us to form ongoing partnerships between the school and the community.”
Since the information night, the school has been working with two major local employers, Peak Gold Mine and Cobar Shire Council, who have expressed an interest to take on school-based apprentices and trainees in 2011.
Council’s Human Resources Officer Karen Irvine said council has had a very positive experience with their existing school-based traineeships and are considering expanding the program next year.
“Council sees the program as an ideal opportunity to kick-start local young people into a career or profession, and keeping our local young people in our local community,” Ms Irvine said.
“With our existing ageing workforce, it is a wonderful opportunity for the council to promote itself as an employer of choice to our next generation of employees.
Ms Irvine said council could be in a position to offer placements in a range of areas including mechanical, metal fabrication, hospitality, aged care, administration, information technology, parks and gardens.
Peak Gold Mine’s Manager Peter Lloyd last week announced the company would employ all its new apprentices through the school- based apprenticeships.
Mr Lloyd said it was apparent that the time-honoured practice of employing apprentices directly at the end of Year 10 or 11 had become unsustainable.
“Peak operates a residential operation where the majority of its workforce lives in Cobar.
“Peak needs to attract and retain high quality employees. We see quality education and employment opportunities for our youth as key factors in our employee’s choice of residence,” he said.
“In addition, we have identified an opportunity to establish specific traineeships in underground mining or metallurgical process operations, either through our own capacity as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or our industry partnerships,” Mr Lloyd said.
This means a student who wants to pursue tertiary education in mining engineering or metallurgy can complete a nationally recognised qualification in the mining industry before they enter university.
This is an exciting opportunity for the school, our kids and the community and reinforces Peak Gold Mines ongoing commitment to the sustainability of our community.
Whilst still in its infancy, we are looking to offer six school based apprenticeships and if approved by the program administration, 3 mining specific traineeships in 2011, which will see at least nine students remain at school to complete years 11 and 12.
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