Logan City Council will run a pilot to determine the viability of directly hiring apprentices and trainees into its workforce.

The trial will offer four-year apprenticeships in heavy commercial vehicle mechanical technology, plumbing and mechanical fitting.

Council will also be hiring a one-year business trainee and an 18-month library trainee.

Currently, trainees and apprentices are hired through third-party group training organisations through a ‘host’ arrangement.

Governance Chair Natalie Willcocks said Council will compare the two models to see what works best.

“We want to see the data to determine if we stay with a host model, convert to a direct hire model, or perhaps introduce a hybrid arrangement,” she said in a statement

“This will give us a good idea of both the opportunities and challenges, including any ‘hidden’ costs and resources that we don’t currently incur,” Ms Willcocks said.

Recruitment will begin early this year with the successful candidates to be employed for the duration of their certification period.

However, Council anticipates that it will be able to determine the trial’s results within six months.

Council currently employs 1,750 people across a range of full-time, part-time and casual roles.

Main image: Governance Chair Natalie Willcocks with trainees Josh Clarke and Ryan McCorkindale.

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