LGANT launch pilot traineeship program for 25 young Territorians interested in local government
A two year local government traineeship program has been launched in the Northern Territory, providing up to 25 young Territorians with qualifications in local government and business. Find out how you can get involved.
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If somebody told Ellen Worsfold back in 2020 that she would now be working in local government, she might have just laughed in response.
Back then, she had big dreams of becoming an astrophysicist because of her love for math and physics.
When that didn’t eventuate, she decided she would instead work in early childhood education, where she stayed for three years.
But seeking another change, Mrs Worsfold made the call to apply for a pilot traineeship program with the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory – one of the first to apply for the traineeship so far.
The two-year program — a collaboration between LGANT, GTNT, Industry Skills Advisory Council NT and the NT Government — is designed to place up to 25 Territorians in councils to complete formal qualifications through on-the-job learning.
Formal qualifications include a Certificate III in Business and Certificate III in Local Government, and trainees and apprentices will receive mentoring, peer networking opportunities and exposure to the essential operations of council life.
The traineeship, Mrs Worsfold said, had been transformative for her personally and professionally.
“It’s such a good opportunity to learn about politics because growing up I thought politics was boring and no one cares about it,” she said.
“This job has taught me what local government councils do … the importance of councils on an Australia-wide scale.
“If other people were to apply to this traineeship program, I don’t think they would quite understand just how much they’re going to learn about how society works and how important councils are.”
Mrs Worsfold, who once found politics a mundane topic at best, said it was too challenging to narrow down her favourite parts of the traineeship.
“I’m really loving it … and you learn so much amazing business experience and general knowledge,” she said.
“There’s always things coming through and things that councils want to change … so I think the best part about the job is knowing what’s happening and how it’s going to affect people.
“I think it’s just having the opportunity to do a wide range of work and being trusted to do that wide range of work.”
For more information head to gtntgroup.com.au/local-government-traineeship-pilot-program
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Originally published as LGANT launch pilot traineeship program for 25 young Territorians interested in local government
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