HSC students Hanna Bates, Elissa Parkin and Bethany Richards are mid way through their traineeships where they work in council-run facilities as part of completing their HSC course.

The girls must complete 100 days of paid work in the council chambers, library and visitor information centre over a two year period. All three said that working in the locations has been a real eye-opener and has been a great experience to help them enter the workforce and get a foot in the door to their prospective career paths.

Hanna, who has been working at Oberon Council completing a Certificate 2 in Local Government, said that her traineeship has encouraged her further to try and work for council in the future.

Bethany Richards, who is completing a Certificate 2 in Tourism with the colourful team at the Visitor Information Centre, said that she has had so much opportunity to get out and experience Oberon.

“I have learned things about Oberon [attractions] that I didn't even know were there,” she said.

Elissa Parkin, who has been completing her Certificate 2 in Library Studies at the library, said that the job has helped her refine skills such as communication.

Both Council and the school are looking to continue the program in the future with the success of this first set of trainees.

Corporate planner Joanne Barton said that council is very impressed and hopes to take on more trainees in the future.

Cheryl Fitzpatrick of Oberon High School said that the girls have handled their jobs and school work load well, and she encourages upcoming students to consider becoming involved in the future.