Yahoo Finance ATO targeting high school graduates
The Australian Tax Office is on a hiring spree, and it’s targeting Australian high school graduates in regional areas.
The ATO is looking for 2020 and 2021 graduates from Gosford, Newcastle, Upper Mt Gravatt, Townsville, Traralgon and Geelong to join its ATO School leaver recruitment program.
“For those who don’t want to go straight from school to uni, this is a great way to learn new skills and notch up some career experience – all while earning a good income,” said ATO assistant commissioner Alison Stott on Thursday.
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She said the ATO is looking for workers in all fields including IT, design and marketing.
“At the ATO we value diversity and our entry-level programs bring in some really talented people. I’m excited to meet the new recruits who’ll join us through this program,” she said.
Under the 12-month full-time program, the new recruits will undergo practical training, receive a Certificate IV and receive formal professional development.
The applications open on 6 September and close on 1 October, with the ATO describing the starting salary as “competitive”.
“It’s all about opening up career pathways for young people who want to learn new skills in a professional and supportive environment, earn a good income, gain valuable work experience, build professional capabilities and work practices,” Stott said.
And, she added, many school leavers either don’t want to go to university or plan to take a gap year before returning to full-time studies.
“We think our program will appeal to both of these groups who are looking to get a foot in the door.”
The ATO’s hiring spree comes as young Australians leave school and enter a fractured labour market and high levels of youth unemployment.
While the Australian unemployment rate is 4.6 per cent, youth unemployment - which includes workers aged 15-24 - is 10.2 per cent.
“We know we need to do more to get youth into work,” Assistant Minister for Youth Luke Howarth said last week.
“I know from my discussions with young people seeking to begin their adult lives, finding work can often be a somewhat dispiriting experience.
“This is a critical stage of their life and career, and failure to find a job soon after finishing their studies can and does impact on their self-esteem and general mental health.”
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