Four new graduate employees have just started the pathways programme, which gives one year at each organisation in either communications or engineering departments.
The Hunter-first career pathways programme hopes to enable new graduates to get into the workforce straight out of university.
The firms have teamed up to provide skills and experience as part of the two-year programme.
“The hope is that these graduates will be able to incorporate knowledge and practices they have learnt into both our organisations,” Lake Macquarie City Council Workforce Planning Coordinator Belinda Leck said.
“As two of the region’s largest employers, we want to be industry leaders when it comes to innovation and job opportunities for the younger workforce," she said.
The programme aims to allow graduates to collaborate with other participants, sharing knowledge of each organisation’s workplace practices.
University graduate Eliane Beveridge is one of the first to start the programme and says she feels lucky to have such a great way to kick off her career.
"To be able to stay in Newcastle to work, and still be near my family and friends when I thought maybe I might have to move to Sydney or Melbourne has been really great and something that I'm so happy I get to do," she said.
After 12 months with Lake Macquarie Council, she will move to Hunter Water.
Eliane Beveridge is encouraging other university graduates to consider the local pathways programme.
"Just apply for as much as you can and put yourself out there, even for things that you might not necessarily think you want to do. Take every opportunity you can to learn new skills," she said.
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| New graduates Eliane Beveridge, George Harrodine, and Georgina Ragen. Picture: Lake Macquarie Council |
