Circulars

Local Government Skills Strategy

• The Local Government Skills Strategy (LGSS) is being rolled out to councils across the State following a successful pilot program.
• The program provides local councils with better access to quality professional training to help them meet the demands of a modern local government environment.
• Councils can now access funding and participate in the program as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to support local councils to enhance their workforce capability.
• The LGSS was developed by Training Services NSW (TSNSW) within the NSW Department of Industry and the Office of Local Government (OLG).
• The objectives of the LGSS are:
  − to facilitate pre vocational training programs targeting local government skill priorities;
  − to encourage and support councils to increase their intake of apprentices and trainees, including upskilling their supervisors and managers; and
  − to facilitate training in skill priority areas for existing local government employees.

What’s new or changing

• The LGSS is being expanded across the state following a successful pilot program in five regions (Central West, Illawarra, Namoi, Northern Rivers, Western Sydney).
• A total of $4.6 million is available to councils across the state.
• The program supports councils to deliver vocational training to prospective, new and existing employees.
• The training will be delivered under the Smart and Skilled program

What this will mean for your council

• Councils should strongly consider participation in the LGSS especially in pre vocational programs such as work experience opportunities, leading to apprentices and trainees.
• Councils need to have documented the capability need and the funds required as well as the expected benefits.
  Strengthening local government
• Councils need to identify a relevant Smart and Skilled training provider who can deliver the desired training. Regional TSNSW managers can assist in situations where an appropriate approved provider cannot be found.
• Councils are encouraged to talk regionally about development needs to promote economies of scale and collaboration and work through their regional TSNSW manager.
• Councils should seek advice from OLG and TSNSW to support optional outcomes. OLG and TSNSW will share best practice models and learnings from the pilot and across the State.

Key points

• Councils can enhance their workforce capabilities and ensure the needs of the community are better served through this program.
• Councils should consider current and future skills gaps as well as new and emerging job functions when applying for funding under the LGSS.
• Councils should collaborate, wherever possible, to ensure optimal outcomes for every development opportunity.

Where to go for further information

• OLG project coordinator Jaleen Caples (Jaleen.caples@olg.nsw.gov.au or 0472 817 148) will be in contact with councils shortly to determine interest in participating in the program.
• Further information is available on the NSW Department of Industry website.

Tim Hurst
Acting Chief Executive