Press Release Monday, 21 December 2009 500 young professionals looking to Bush for work and country life experience A new project aiming to reverse the regional skills shortage in Australia is working hard to find a rural career for more than 500 young professionals next year. ‘The Brolga Project' has more than 500 mostly urban-based, final-year tertiary students registered and looking to get a taste of life in rural and regional Australia via a work experience program. Many of the project's students want to trial life in the bush with a view to moving into a rural or regional career permanently in the future. Manager of the 14-month old project Mr Richard Cowley says the Brolga Project is developing a following, but wishes he could place all of the students who are keen to work in the Bush. Richard and his team are looking for more rural and regional businesses that can accommodate young professionals both in the short term and the long term and Expressions of Interest from host employers are can be completed online at http://www.brolgaproject.com.au/ "These young people are very keen to head out of the cities and to get a taste of country life. The students being placed love their experience living in the Bush, and the host employers are impressed by the quality of young people available" Mr Cowley said. The Brolga Project is promoted regionally by Local Intelligence, an initiative of Lara Wilde. Local Intelligence offers families from around the world a warm welcome and locally sourced information to create a new life in a rural or regional community. Lara works closely with Brolga Project students, providing a variety of tools to ensure they have fun and adventure during their time in the Bush as well as working with rural and regional employers to welcome the new staff. "The Brolga Project is a really simple initiative offering enormous reward." Miss Wilde said "Many students are looking for work experience as a part of their studies, and many businesses in rural and regional Australia need staff for a month or two with a view to more permanent employment in the future. The Brolga Project matches rural and regional employers with young professionals, it doesn't get any simpler than that." There are more than 40 different disciplines of young professionals registered, with almost every industry and profession represented. "Employers can access students with extensive training in accounting, aviation, community development, engineering, media, graphic design and more. Students can come from any University in Australia and can be placed anywhere in rural and regional areas. Current confirmed placements include students working in Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. "While these are great results, we want to build interest from businesses, non-profit organisations and government departments who need students in the New Year. Host employers can complete an obligation free Expression of Interest (EOI) online at www.brolgaproject.com.au and we will contact them with more information and a selection of candidates," Mr Cowley concluded. ...ends For more information please contact: Mr Richard Cowley, Manager, The Brolga Project, P 07 3366 1005 M 0412 189 787 E richard@brolgaproject.com.au Lara Wilde, Director, Local Intelligence; 0417 779 917 E lara.wilde@localintelligence.com.au www.localintelligence.com.au The Brolga Project is proudly partnered by Local Intelligence   *********************************** Providing University Students with Work Experience Opportunities in Rural and Regional Australia Willray Pty Ltd (ABN 180 7575 5118) trading as The Brolga Project, PO Box 219, Ashgrove QLD 4060.