Local Government Careers Initiative Launched web site goes live
A new website, www.localgovernmentcareers.govt.nz, has been launched to encourage people to consider local government as
a career option.
“Councils are competing nationally and internationally to attract the wide range of skilled and talented people needed
now and in the future,” said says Phillippa Wilson, President of the NZ Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM).
“To raise the profile of local government as an interesting, challenging, and rewarding sector in which to work in, the
new website contains information explaining local government’s role, the wide range of career options available,
including some illustrative case studies, career advice and a jobs board.,” explained Phillippa Wilson.
The need to raise local government’s profile as an employer was demonstrated by significant research SOLGM commissioned
in 2005.
Research that SOLGM commissioned in 2005 showed local government needed to raise its profile as an employer of choice.
“Theis research showed that councils faced key shortages now and in the future in engineering, planning and building
inspection staff,” “she said.Mrs Wilson says.
“The research It also showed that people had a mixed range of perceptions about local government as a place to work.
“Many are were positive – seeing local government as a place where you can contribute to the community by through
careers in one of the 36 distinct areas of local government operations.
“We have built on this with our ‘People Shaping Progress’ brand.”, said the President.
The new website is just one of a range of initiatives being planned by SOLGM as a part of its Recruitment and Retention
Project.
“I believe that over the next year or so we will see a positive change in the way secondary and tertiary students,
people working in other sectors, and overseas immigrants see the local government sector,” Mrs Wilson says.. “It can be
an exciting and rewarding career option.,” said Phillippa Wilson.
ENDS