Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Television campaign targets skills shortage in WA

Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) has launched a television advertising campaign aimed at overcoming the sector's severe skills shortage. The campaign is being broadcast on metropolitan and regional networks to promote the wide range of jobs in Local Government. It also advertises the facilities and services provided by Councils as employers, and the opportunities to work in diverse parts of the State.

WALGA President, Councillor Bill Mitchell, said the campaign was the result of two separate research projects by the Association. He said a recent survey of Councils had identified skills shortages across a range of jobs, with the most difficult to fill being in the areas of planning, building surveyors, engineers, accountants, environmental health, information technology, horticulture, recreation services and childcare.

Councillor Mitchell said WALGA also funded comprehensive research by an independent firm into community perceptions of Local Government. The study identified trust in Council as the most important factor in community satisfaction.

"This campaign is intended to help dispel the outdated notion that Council rates and decisions are only concerned with roads and rubbish collection," Councillor Mitchell said. "The advertisements use actual Local Government employees to help demonstrate that Councils are providing a range of community services, including recreation facilities, child care, aged care and security patrols. With those services comes the opportunity for employment anywhere in the State."

The advertisements feature employees from the municipalities of Albany, Geraldton, Fremantle, Stirling, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Belmont, Vincent, Cambridge and East Fremantle.

For further information contact WALGA on (08) 9322 2611, email info@walga.asn.au or visit the website at www.walga.asn.au to view the advertisements.

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