Bayside Council will launch an employment initiative to hire six apprentices over the next six months.
A motion submitted by Councillors Scott Morrissey and Christina Curry has asked the council to expand its annual program of student and graduate placements to include the recruitment of six new apprenticeships in the next six months.
At least two of the new positions would target the local Aboriginal community.
The idea was unanimously supported by councillors at the October 13 meeting of council.
"The pandemic has shown us how important reliance on our homegrown skills and industry is and that the disruption to international supply chains can have a devastating impact on our domestic economy," both councillors said in a supporting statement.
"Reinvigorating the pool of young, skilled tradespeople will be a bonus to the local community as well as helping to build an expertise base for the future of our industries."
Councillor Morrissey said the initiative stands for what council is all about which is local jobs for local people, particularly young people.
"We are coming out of a pandemic and we need to stimulate business and we need to offer people employment," he said.
"Local government is the perfect place in which to do that.
"I think hiring six apprentices in six months is a great place to start. This is something where we could lead not only in our local area but other councils in NSW.
"There's a number of apprenticeships available in council including horticuare, landscaping, concreting, carpentry, painting, childcare and also administration."
Mayor Bill Saravinovski agreed with the initiative.
"We could lead the way for other oncils to get on board with this and promote employment opportunities for youth," he said.
