Unitywater’s three-month paid Vacation Work Program has wrapped up, with more than half of the participants finishing the program with an offer of ongoing employment.
The program saw 17 university students integrate their learning into a real-world job scenario, in disciplines spanning engineering, science, ICT, communications, human resources, business resilience, analytics and more.
Unitywater executive manager people, culture and safety Kenan Hibberd said the program was an excellent pathway for university students looking to ‘bridge the gap’ between the books and the working world.
“Our Vacation Work Program has been running for 12 years now and has proven to be an excellent opportunity for those coming to the end of their university studies, while attracting local talent from across our region,” Mr Hibberd said.
“We’re pleased to have offered a diverse range of positions this round – it widens the reach of the talent search and highlights the vast nature of opportunities that exist within the water industry.”
Alexandra Meaney, who has been based at Unitywater’s Mango Hill office and recently completed a Bachelor of Business majoring in Human Resources, is one of the team members offered ongoing employment.
“This program is a great pathway into the workplace – you’re given a lot of responsibility and treated as an equal member of the team, but with a lot of support, trust and encouragement,” Alexandra said.
“Everyone’s been so lovely and welcoming – even little things like figuring out the systems, finding a desk or a meeting room – you feel completely supported.”
The 10 team members offered employment will join 16 other permanent team members who started their journey in the Vacation Work Program in prior years, including Jordan Nicholson, who participated in last years’ program and is now a full-time laboratory assistant.
“I was just one month away from finishing my Bachelor of Science and starting to explore entry-level positions in the area, most of which required experience, or were not paid opportunities,” Mr Nicholson said.
“Unitywater’s Vacation Work Program was a fantastic opportunity as it provided me with industry experience while being paid to work four full days a week – it really gave me that point of difference looking for my first out-of-uni job.”
Unitywater offers other early career pathways including its Graduate Development Program, a two-year transition to the workplace for recent university graduates. Unitywater will welcome eight participants in this program later this month.
To learn more about Unitywater’s early career pathways, including the Vacation Work Program, Graduate Development Program, apprenticeship opportunities and Water Industry Work Program, head to unitywater.com/career-pathways
