FOR the first time Orange City Council is offering four trainee childcare positions, which means students can get paid while they are studying.
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Instead of doing unpaid internships, which can put a burden on people who have to take time off from work, these students will get paid, gain experience and be better placed to secure full-time work in the field when they graduate.
Orange City Council spokesman Allan Reeder said council made the decision to combat the shortage of childcare workers in the city.
“It’s about future investment in childcare,” he said.
“They are part-time positions and it encourages people to stay with their course for longer.”
The four traineeships are among 11 positions advertised for Orange City Council’s three childcare centres.
Mr Reeder said it was not unusual to have this number of jobs available at this time of year.
“This number of jobs comes against a background of a major review of Orange City Council childcare centres last year, a normal review that happens from time to time,” he said.
“It looked at how viable the centres are and a review of the services offered.”
Mr Reeder said he was convinced the positions would be filled and the centres would not need to reduce the number of children based on carer-to-child ratios.
“These positions were normal vacancies and were filled by casuals until the results of the review came back,” he said.
“But they are genuine positions and anyone with the right qualifications can apply for them.”
nicole.kuter@fairfaxmedia.com.au