Local Government

Local Government is one of the three spheres of Australian Government. Local Government is known as Shires, Local or Elected Councils. There are Councils (sometimes known Shires) and six Regional Councils totalling one hundred and forty seven local government agencies throughout Western Australia. Each Local Government Shire varies greatly in geographic and population size.
Local Government in Western Australia has various roles and responsibilities. It provides citizens with building, health and community services, infrastructure and property services, recreation services, along with other services including water and sewage services. Local Government also administers facilities including those of a cultural nature.

The purpose of Local Government is to assist and support citizens. There are fourteen hundred elected members, one point nine million constituents and fifteen thousand employees within The Western Australian Local Government. Of the fifteen thousand employees approximately five thousand six hundred are employed in regional areas.

Industry areas of employment within The West Australia Local Government are categorised into four major areas. These areas are Corporate, Environmental, Human Services, Engineering and Infrastructure.

The Western Australian Local Government Association or WALGA is the peak body which lobbies and negotiates on behalf of the all the Local Governments Shires in Western Australia. A State Council consisting of representatives (who are elected members from the various constituencies) is the overarching body within WALGA. Members are elected from country and metropolitan zones (aligned geographically) and are responsible for advising, planning and formulating policy. A membership based organisation WALGA works on behalf of Local Government. It is an independent as well as a private entity.

Skills Shortages in Local Government

The National Local Government Skills Forum Reporting’s have determined that skills shortage exists in the following areas of Engineering, Planning, Environmental Health (Officers) and Trades (especially electrical). There is also a national shortage of Earthmoving Plant operators (Bulldozer drivers). There are also shortages additional to those mentioned above of accountants and other selected occupations in a variety of industry areas.
The summarised information of the National Local Government Skills Forum is now available online at http://www.lgma.org.au

Careers Advice

Those interested in gaining employment or developing their career including employees and students interested in working in these areas would be best advised to speak to a Careers Counsellor or Coordinator in their school, workplace or make an appointment at a Career Development Centre to speak to an adviser.

You could contact Human Resource Officers within Local Government to advise you of the particular need and training required to assist in developing career pathways and/or employment working in specific regions or shires within Local, State Government and Private Enterprise. EUPA can also direct you to appropriate services according to your need.

How do I gain entry into Local Government?

A wide variety of career opportunities are available in Local Government.
To access these opportunities you may enter after completing a higher qualification or many opportunities exist for those who are interested in a hands on experience of an Apprenticeship or Traineeships (They are offered in many different streams dependent upon the needs of the community)

Explore the following website for further information regarding Local Government

Department of Local Government sponsored Career site for School students, leavers and University undergraduates: www.localexposure.ca.com.au

The national website www.careergov.com.au also gives details about your Local Council including traineeships and apprenticeships

OTHER WEBSITES to explore for more information about vacancies in Local Government in Western Australia

Workplace Solutions (the Main Employer of WALGA)
www.workplacesolutions.asn.au/vacancies

WALGA www.walga.asn.au

www.reachfoundation.com.au (working in conjunction with WALGA and Main Roads)

For Careers Advisers and Counsellors research data released at the National Local Government Association Forum March 2009 is available to be viewed at the Local Government Managers Association Website -LGMA website www.lgma.org.au

Other websites e.g. (for funding and skills shortages)

The Western Australian Government site of DET www.det.wa.edu.au/training

(Productivity Places Program)PPP http://www.deewr.gov.au/Skills/ProductivityPlaces/Pages/default.aspx

National site of the Department of Employment Educations and Workplace Relations http://www.deewr.gov.au

For State Qualifications and National Qualifications for Local Government Training Packages visit

www.apprenticentre.com.au

www.ntis.wa.gov.au

Registered Training Organisations in Western Australia

CY O’Connor College of TAFE - http://www.cyoctafe.wa.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx

Central West TAFE – http://www.centralwest.wa.edu.au/

Central TAFE - http://www.centraltafe.wa.edu.au/

Community Arts Network WA Ltd- http://www.canwa.com.au/