The Parks and Leisure Australia Vic/Tas Region Board has identified that there is a general lack of awareness by tertiary students of the career opportunities available within the sport, recreation, leisure, and open space sectors of local government. Contributors to this issue are thought to include:
  • Perception that students have little awareness of employment options within the local government sport, recreation, leisure and parks sectors
  • Perception that students have little understanding of the workings of local government
  • Current approaches to improving the awareness of students of employment options within local government is ad hoc
  • There appears to be a decline in internship placement opportunities being offered annually by councils
  • Students’ lack of awareness of the sector employment options prevents them from making informed decisions about internships available within local government
  • There are few graduate employment opportunities
As such, we have established a working group to respond to this issue. The group is in the process of developing a plan to increase awareness by students of the sport, recreation, leisure and open space sectors in local government… and we need your help! 
The following series of questions seek to understand your experience – barriers, opportunities, success stories – anything that can help us develop a robust and practical plan.
Section 1 deals with ‘tertiary student placements’ - students who need to undertake work experience activities as part of a course they are currently studying.
Section 2 deals with ‘more formal internships, traineeships and graduate employment positions’ - new graduates who are seeking opportunities to formally enter the workforce.
We appreciate your time in responding to these questions and look forward to working with you to further develop pathways into our industry for young people.

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