We manage a number of local employment programs.

Youth Employment Alliance
The Youth Employment Alliance is funded through a joint venture with the state government Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST) and Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED).

The Youth Employment Alliance is an initiative forming partnerships between six southern Adelaide and Fleurieu Peninsula councils, 15 local business associations, local high schools, youth centres and apprenticeship brokers. Each year it helps 75 youth aged between 16 and 24 years to work and study close to home by securing employment as trainees or apprentices with local small business employers in a variety of careers including building, business, retail, tourism, hospitality, automotive, child/aged care and engineering.

The Youth Employment Alliance relates to the employment targets in South Australia’s Strategic Plan, the workforce participation objectives of the state Economic Development Board, the skill priorities of the state Training and Skills Commission, and regionally aligns projects to targeted growth sectors and major projects identified by the Southern Adelaide Economic Development Board.

For more information contact Janis Turner, Project Officer, on (08) 8384 0647.

Employment Strategy - Seed Funding
The City of Onkaparinga provides seed funding to partner programs and attract other funding from new and emerging programs announced by the state and federal governments.

Local employment projects that have resulted include Young Achievement Australia, South Australian Young Entrepreneur Scheme, Economic Development Forums, Career and Job Expos, International Business Week, business functions, Web Page in a Day, Primary Industries Centre for Science Education scholarships, Marcellin Technical College scholarships, Principles of Lean Thinking forum, GrowSmart industry placements, Learning Communities forums and conference, Grant Management forums, 2006 Automotive Industry Restructuring Symposium, annual school leaver guides, and 2006 Australian Cheese Festival.

For more information contact Glenn Hickling, Project Manager, on (08) 8384 0502.

Aboriginal Employment Program
The City of Onkaparinga (in a partnership with Maxima Group Training) provides a minimum of four local placements each year for Aboriginal school-based apprentices (usual duration 12–18 months). These are structured training programs for senior school students (years 11 and 12) that combine part-time paid work at the council with accredited training while completing study at school towards their SACE certificate.

Local Aboriginal students undertake placements in career areas like libraries and customer service at Noarlunga Centre, horticulture/civil and automotive at Seaford Depot or community/social work at various Onkaparinga Youth Centres.

The Aboriginal Employment Program has been in operation since 2005 and nearly all of the participants complete their council apprenticeship and high school certificate, with many moving straight to full-time employment or further study.

For more information contact Glenn Hickling, Project Manager, on (08) 8384 0502.