Plan to counter council turnover with graduates

A council-funded graduate programme has been proposed by the Westland District Council as a way to recruit and retain personnel in departments with a high turnover of staff members.

Tuition fees as well as paid internship could see the council fork out up to $13,000 a year to eventually secure graduates, particularly in the finance, civil engineering and planning sectors.

Council senior planner Simon Mutonhori said it was proposed that the students be bonded to work for the council for the same number of years it took to complete the sponsored, council preferred degree.

Three graduates are expected to be sponsored over the next five years, at a total cost of $114,300.

The average cost is made up $7000 of full year tuition fees and $5700 of minimum wage-paid student internship over the breaks.

"It is proposed that students work for council in their respective departments during vacations to familiarise themselves with council operations and their future roles," Mr Mutonhori said.

The council was already spending a lot of money in recruitment costs due to the high turnover in critical departments.

High staff turnover cost the council in many ways, from recruitment costs, lack of continuity in council programmes and a general loss of institutional knowledge, he said.

"At any one time council is advertising for qualified staff but the positions never get filled. As a result, council outsources the jobs to consultants who are not only expensive to hire, but also council has very little control of what they do."

Mr Mutonhori said it was in this context, the council should consider long-term staff development and promote 'homegrown' skilled people, starting with educational investment in local young people.

It was proposed to gradually roll out the programme from next year with one recipient, and build up to three scholarships by 2022.

"In the fourth year the first recipient begins work with council and in the fifth year the second recipient commences work as well."

Prospective students could be in their final years at either Westland High School or South Westland Area School, but also secondary students at boarding schools with their parents resident in Westland.

The pilot graduate programme will be put to councillors at the monthly council meeting on Thursday.

 - by Janna Sherman of the Hokitika Gaurdian

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