Young people in the Mining and Pastoral Region are gaining valuable career opportunities in local government, thanks to Royalties for Regions.
Local governments in the Kimberley, Goldfields-Esperance and Pilbara regions are among 30 across regional Western Australia which will share more than $300,000 in funding through the Country Local Government Fund Youth Development Program.
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Dave Grills MLC said grants of up to $20,000 had been awarded to 12 regional local governments, including the Shire of Broome and the Town of Port Hedland, to support the creation of traineeship positions through the Country Local Government Fund (CLGF) Youth Development Program.
An additional 25 grants of up to $10,000 were awarded to 18 local governments to support scholarships for young employees to undertake nationally accredited training.
“Providing young people with local career options enables them to stay in their community of choice and puts a stop to the drain of talented staff out of our regions,” Mr Grills said.
“As significant employers in many regional areas, local governments are well placed to develop the talent of young people in our communities.
“This is an important investment by the State Government into the future of young people and one that will ultimately help build and maintain a positive lifestyle for regional communities.”
Youth Development Scholarships have been granted to the shires of Coolgardie, Esperance and Yilgarn in the Mining and Pastoral Region to assist young employees with training.
Nationals WA Candidate for the Kimberley Rob Houston said that more than $1.2 million in funding through Royalties for Regions was allocated to the CLGF Youth Development Program in 2015-16.
“I am pleased to see Royalties for Regions enhance the capacity of local government to attract and retain young people and provide them with meaningful career development opportunities,” Mr Houston said.
“The Shire of Broome is among the country local governments to share in the current round of funding, with the traineeship set to support the Shire’s workforce development plan.”
Under the CLGF Youth Development Program, local governments are able to apply for grants of up to $20,000 to support the creation of traineeship positions and up to $10,000 to support scholarships.
A new round of applications for traineeships is open until December 12, with an additional round for both scholarships and traineeships to be offered in early 2017.
For more information, visit http://www.dlgc.wa.gov.au/GrantsFunding/Pages/Grants%20programs.aspx
For media enquiries contact Dave Grills MLC on (08) 9071 500 or email dave.grills@mp.wa.gov.au
