The Victorian Minister for Local Government, Jeanette Powell, has called for local government chief executives and senior officers to ‘embrace professional development programs’ to help address growing challenges in the sector.

 

Opening the Australian School of Applied Management’s local government sector, Mrs Powell said councils are increasingly needing high-skilled leaders in key positions, and that development programs will assist in plugging the skills gap.

 

"We know the importance of education, training and professional development in attracting and retaining the best and brightest in local councils," Mrs Powell said.

 

"In the years 2010 and 2011, 250 Victorian local government employees completed the comprehensive Australian Applied Management Colloquium program – that's another 250 people who now have honed their management skills, right here in Victoria.

 

"It's good to see a number of councils are now employing the Colloquium as part of their strategies to build the talent in their organisations.”