The City of Playford has supported more than 40 trainees and apprentices employed through Maxima over the past five years.

Trainee Imogen Higgins, 17, started at the beginning of 2021 working as a Business Support Officer Trainee with the Community Development Team at the John McVeity Centre.

Imogen found out about the opportunity after applying for another traineeship at Council through SEEK.

“I have been doing a lot of administration work, I also help people organise functions and continue doing my course,” Imogen said.

The trainee’s hands-on experience supports her studies in a Certificate III in Business, while she is mentored and trained by Council staff.

“I have learnt a lot of communication skills, working with people who have diverse backgrounds and also looking at how our workplace can affect the environment and how to make the environment better as well,” she said.

While Imogen is only halfway through her 12-month traineeship, she has aspirations to continue her employment pathway in similar job roles as her Council mentors.

“I would love to continue working here, I just find it really enjoyable. It’s just a very welcoming environment and everyone is so friendly, and it just makes you smile all the time,” she said.

Living in the local area, Imogen has a passion for supporting the community and says her favourite part of the job is working with customers.

“Interacting with customers and seeing how they interact with each other is exciting,” Imogen said.

Traineeships and apprenticeships offered at Council support the community to gain employment in a range of different areas such as field work, finance, community development, creative industries and customer care.

These opportunities are great ways to help kick-start your career into the job or industry of your choice, boost employment credentials by receiving accredited qualifications and equipping you with the skills and knowledge to be able to succeed in the future.