A shortage of skilled engineers is causing headaches for many regional councils, leaving managers wringing their hands at how to meet the demands of an escalating ‘to do’ list of public works with a diminishing number of quality recruits.

It’s left many councils to grapple with a difficult question: ‘In the absence of the bigger pay packets sometimes offered by other employers, how do we not only get the right people on board, but when we do, how do we keep them?’

AlburyCity, on the banks of the Murray River in southern NSW, hopes to find the answers not only for its own community but also for others in the same predicament, by promoting a great work-life balance to potential recruits.
 
With a total staff of 665 people, including 262 in the engineering division, AlburyCity is running a social media campaign asking engineers to not only consider the virtues of pursuing a career in local government, but to also weigh up the lifestyle advantages offered by large regional communities.

The city’s Director of Engineering, Brad Ferris, hopes that selling a job with his council as a package deal will be enough to get the right candidates thinking about a tree change.

“Like most big regional councils, we offer a really interesting range of engineering challenges, from large-scale sewer and drainage works to roads and traffic management or opportunities to oversee fantastic projects, such as our current works to build one of the biggest and best sporting complexes in regional Australia,” he says.

“We offer security of employment, lots of time off and a minimal requirement for our people to work away from their families – but we know that sometimes that’s not enough.

“That’s why we’re urging potential recruits to think about how their lives might improve if they come to work for us.”

The city believes a key selling point is the council’s 35-hour week, nine-day fortnight, which is marketed to recruits as a way of working to live, not living to work.

The council is also promoting the perks of living out of metro areas. In Albury, a 15-minute commute or less to work is the norm. Quality housing is up to three times cheaper than it is in Sydney and, just three hours from Melbourne, Albury is also a short drive from rivers, lakes, ski fields, wineries and quaint country towns.

AlburyCity engineers Anthony Bisignano, Bilee Oliver and Alan Rodgers are spearheading a series of video messages extolling the advantages of living and working in Albury-Wodonga.

“At work, we get to perform significant roles in major projects such as the Lavington Sports Ground redevelopment and the Albury Airport terminal expansion,” Bisignano said.

“These are really important projects that are professionally rewarding and great for the experience they offer.

“And outside of work, our nine-day fortnight means there’s lots of time to pursue interests I really enjoy.

“A few minutes after leaving the office, I can be unwinding by riding my bike along the Murray River or making the most of my social life with friends in relaxed and sophisticated bars or restaurants.

“I’d urge any engineers looking for an interesting career and a great lifestyle to seriously think about joining a council like Albury – it’s a great way to live and work.”

What do you think about AlburyCity’s approach to attracting talented engineers? If you’re an IPWEA member, log in and leave a comment.

For more on this topic, read the inspire magazine feature ‘Building our future’.

Images
1: AlburyCity electrical supervisor Mitch Palmer shows apprentice Zac Eyers how to program an ultrasonic water level centre in an enclosed reservoir.
2: Electrical supervisor Mitch Palmer and apprentice Zac Eyers program an ultrasonic level instrument at an enclosed water reservoir.
3: Senior design engineer at AlburyCity, Alan Rodgers, at work on a road reconstruction in the city centre.