Apprenticeships and Traineeships - Past and Present.doc

Apprenticeships and Traineeships – Past and Present www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au Updated July 2015

A Business Administration trainee would perform a broad range of administrative tasks within various branches of Council, with the aim of ensuring the administrative activities run smoothly.

Trainees may form different specialisations or interests based on the branch they work within.

Work tasks may include:

• Customer service • General invoicing and data entry

• General operation of office equipment • Mail handling

• Answering telephone calls and providing information

• Preparation of business documents and reports

“Whilst undertaking my Business Administration Traineeship I gained invaluable working knowledge of not just Blue Mountain City Council (BMCC) but Local Government as a whole. BMCC has 5 Directorates and I was lucky enough to be placed in 3 of those during my one year with Council. The tasks I was required to undertake varied with each Directorate I worked in.

• The use of The Council’s electronic data management systems, TRIM and Pathway

• Mail distribution

• Correct use of printers/scanners, binding machines, shredders

• Creating agendas for meetings and taking minutes

• Communicating with the community via telephone, email and face to face

• The registration of all applications that come through Council e.g. Development Applications, Tree Removals, Vehicular Access

• Processing timesheets and updating databases

• Front counter and call centre experience where I communicated with customers directly to answer their enquiries and submit applications

I would recommend a Business Administration Traineeship with BMCC to anyone because the skills you learn here are widely used and are transferable to any job, regardless of the profession.”

- Amber Hassan; Certificate III Business Administration

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Certificate III Traineeship; 1 year


A Civil Construction trainee rotates amongst the various crews within the Road Maintenance service area, who use machines and equipment to apply bitumen seal, kerbs, channels, median strips & barrier strips to roads.


• General roadway repairs • Guard rail installation

• Loading and unloading resources • Preparation of asphalt

• Digging of rock-lined easements • Pipe installation for stormwater drainage

• Maintenance and construction of roadside kerbs and guttering

• Working with concrete mix for construction and maintenance of foot paths

“In my role I have been learning to

service and maintain Council’s

roadways. So far this has involved curb

and guttering, construction of pits and

lintels, and replacing drainage piping. As

a trainee, I rotate amongst different work

crews to learn about the different areas

of road maintenance. So far, I have

particularly enjoyed the construction

aspect of this area.

I enjoy working outdoors and putting into

practice what I have learnt in the

classroom as part of my traineeship.

I enjoy working for Council as it has

given me this opportunity to be qualified

in what I am learning, and all resources

for my work and learning have been

provided.”

- Andrew Day; Certificate III Civil

Construction (Road Maintenance

and Construction)

CIVIL CONSTRUCTION (ROAD MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION)

Certificate III Traineeship; 2 years


A CALM trainee would enjoy working in the outdoors environment. A wide range of sectors within the

conservation and land management industry are explored, including:

• Natural area restoration • Lands, parks and wildlife

• Weed management • Community coordination and facilitation

• Conservation earthworks • Indigenous land management

• Vertebrate pest management

- Daniel Coghill (left) and Lourance Gesha (right); Certificate III Conservation and Land

Management.

CONSERVATION AND LAND MANAGEMENT (CALM)

Certificate III Traineeship; 2 year


A Library trainee would perform a broad spectrum of library activities across the six Library Branches and different service areas.

Due to the broad range of activities trainees are exposed to whilst at Council, there are many branches of library work that a trainee may later choose to specialise in, particularly when combined with further tertiary studies. These include circulation, reference, cataloguing and information services.

“I work in the Blue Mountains’ Libraries as a trainee.

My year here has been full of great experiences and I have learnt a great detail. One of the most surprising things I found when I started working here was the amount of work that happens behind the scenes. I don’t think I realised just how challenging the job is, I love it! Everyone one here has been so supportive, when I showed an interest within the children’s team, the team were more than happy to give me some of that experience. I have now been working with the children’s team quite frequently and have even started up an online book club for “Young Adults”. I love my job and I am so happy to have had this opportunity.”

- Rebekah Cooper; Certificate III in Information and Cultural Services

LIBRARY / INFORMATION SERVICES

Certificate III Traineeship; 18 months


Sport and Recreation trainees work within our Blue Mountains Leisure Centres undertaking customer service and other specialised activities once qualified. This may include working within the Learn to Swim program, becoming a Life Guard or Sports Coach for example.


• Face-to-face and telephone customer service at the front counter

• Completing membership applications or responding to membership queries

• Providing site information to the general public when required

• Serving customers from the kiosk

• Operating and ensuring balance of the cash register

• Provide First aid

• Assist in the planning and preparation of activity sessions for participants

• Conduct sport and recreation sessions for participants

“Finishing school and starting a traineeship was the greatest step into the next stage of my life! The

Sport and Recreation traineeship is nothing but enjoyable from the tasks I complete to the people I

work with. I have definitely gained a lot of experience and skills from working in the café at the Leisure

Centre, helping out in the children’s surprised play, administration duties and of course customer

service. Working within the Council I’d say is only a plus! I have enjoyed every step of the way so far.”

- Bethany Webb; Certificate III Sport and Recreation

SPORT AND RECREATION



“As a Sport and Recreation trainee at Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre, I have learnt, completed

and achieved a variety of tasks, projects and activities. Working for Blue Mountains City Council has

given me multiple opportunities such as completing my bronze medallion and my pool lifeguarding

course in which I have been able to expand my knowledge, experience and qualifications At the centre

I get to perform multiple tasks throughout the day including; assisting in tumbling teaching, serving at

reception, making coffees and serving at the Kiosk, lifeguarding on pool deck, assisting patrons in

understanding memberships and our facilities, I clean our basketball courts and also perform a lot of

the administration work such as scanning, filing and answering phone enquiries. I am currently

registered to run the City2Surf with BMCC as part of the “Tumour Terminators” team and am helping

to raise money for the ‘Steven Walter’s Children’s Cancer Foundation’.

Gaining the traineeship with BMCC at Katoomba Sport and Aquatic Centre has been one of the best

experiences of my life. I really have learnt a lot and it has helped me grow as a person and be ready

for the challenges that I will face in life. I highly recommend a BMCC Traineeship for anyone looking

for a challenging and rewarding experience.”

- Rose Mercieca; Certificate III Sport and Recreation

SPORT AND RECREATION



An IT trainee would be given the opportunity to perform in a team environment with the goal of obtaining knowledge of how to implement, maintain and troubleshoot Information Technology solutions. They would learn to analyse and resolve Desktop & Networking issues, to maintain and troubleshoot in-production business applications, and discover how technology is integrated into the wide variety of services offered internally and externally by Council. Fundamental activities will be built around:

• Helpdesk Requests & Support

• Network Administration

• Desktop Support & Refresh

• Web Development

• Software Installation & upgrades

• Land Information Systems

• Database Administration

• Record Keeping

“As an IT Trainee my general responsibilities were Helpdesk phone support, Desktop and Network

Support, Application Support and IT project support. These responsibilities generally involved helping

users over the phone when something goes wrong with their computer, installing software for people

and providing support to other members of my team to help them complete projects and more

complicated helpdesk requests.

I have also been given the opportunity to help with 2 major upgrade projects (Upgrading to Windows 7

and Upgrading to Exchange 2010). The experience from these projects was absolutely invaluable.

Working here has taught me the difference between small scale office and home systems and large

multi-site corporate networks.

For anyone looking to start a career in IT, this is definitely the best way to get started. There is a level

of practical experience that you can only gain by working in the field that you will never get from a

textbook or website, and that

knowledge helps you through

TAFE and puts you ahead of

everyone else that hasn’t had

that critical “hands on”

experience”.

- Joshua Hurley; Certificate IV Information and Technology

INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Certificate IV Traineeship; 2 years


As an Electrical Apprentice within the Trades Team at Blue Mountains City Council you will gain

experience in installing, maintaining, repairing and testing electrical and electronic equipment and

systems assets.

Electrical Apprentices gain exposure to an array of different tasks and responsibilities, including;

• Plan the layout of wiring systems

• Test for, locate and repair electrical malfunctions; including scheduled tag and test processes, and testing of exit / emergency lighting

• Maintenance of flood lighting at sporting ovals

• Install electrical and electronic control systems and insulated cables

• Install electrical equipment such as storage heaters, water heaters, electrical signs, switchboards and motors

• Assemble and fabricate electrical and electronic components and appliances

• Connect electrical equipment to power supplies

• Connect circuit breakers, switches, outlets and other fittings

• Maintain automated production processes

“I work as an electrical apprentice and love

being involved in working with the team to

achieve an end goal to the tasks that I have

undertaken

The recent projects that I have been

involved with are helping the tradesman

work to building switchboards, installing the

LED strip lights at the new Springwood

HUB and installing light fittings etc.

I enjoy working for council because the

guys around me support me and push me

to better myself in and outside of work.”

- Josh Conlon-King; Certificate III Electrotechnology Electrician

ELECTRICAL APPRENTICESHIP

Certificate III Electrotechnology Electrician (4 years)


As an Engineering Fabrication Apprentice you will learn and gain experience in metal fabrication, forging, founding, structural steel erection, electroplating, metal spinning, metal polishing, sheet metal work, welding and the use of related computer controlled equipment.

You will acquire skills and knowledge in workplace communication, work health and safety, quality procedures systems and planning, engineering measurement, industry-specific skills in welding, boiler making and light fabrication.

“I commenced my fabrication apprenticeship with Blue Mountains Council in 2013. From day one I was accepted as a part of the team and have since developed strong working relations with passionate, fun and supportive people. My role as a fabricator for Council is to construct different projects assigned to my section and to provide maintenance and welding services across the mountains. A few examples include the fabrication of town entry signs, the installation of handrails, repair work on a range of different machinery and vehicles as well as maintaining park equipment to a high standard using a mixture of hand tools, power tools and machinery. What I enjoy most about working with council is the ongoing support I have been given both in the workshop and with my TAFE components. It is a real comfort knowing that I am working with people who share a similar passion and are dedicated to helping me become the best tradesman possible”.

- Scott Manfredotti; Certificate III Engineering Fabrication

ENGINEERING FABRICATION APPRENTICESHIP

Certificate III Engineering Fabrication (4 years)

Apprenticeships and Traineeships - Past and Present.doc

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