Council and TAFE NSW upskilling locals for the future

Penrith City Council and TAFE NSW have forged a strong partnership to provide education and hands on work experience to the growing population.

The partnership was affirmed last year at Council’s Mayoral Skills Summit. The Summit brought together government representatives, industry, and university and training sector leaders to find ways to build the jobs base for the current and future workforce. The event highlighted the need to support collaboration between industry and education to enhance the skills of the local workforce.

Council’s highly successful traineeship program, delivered in partnership with TAFE NSW, helps foster an educated and skilled local workforce across a range of industries. Each year Council provides placements for 50 students across the many facets of Council operations.

Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM said "With a diverse range of opportunities to come from the future Western Sydney International Airport, we need to make sure our community have the skills they need to meet employer needs, now and in the future."

Lynden Tandy completed a Certificate III in Business Administration at TAFE NSW while undertaking a traineeship with Council "It’s great to know that employers care about our professional development and are nurturing our skills."

TAFE NSW Regional General Manager, Michael Cullen, said "The strong training partnership TAFE NSW has with Penrith City Council is giving locals the opportunity to receive hands-on, practical training they can apply to a meaningful job serving the greater Penrith community".

Image: Lynden Tandy completed a traineeship at Penrith City Council