placement at Indigo Shire Council through the Qualified Overseas Engineers Program was a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for qualified civil engineer Mr Vernon Boado.

Mr Boado has joined Indigo Shire Council for a period of 15 weeks as part of the program, an initiative of the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA).

Indigo Shire Council Operations Manager Mr David Runnalls said Council was thrilled to have the expertise of Mr Boado who has over 20 years experience in both design and construction in civil and building projects in the Philippines.

He said Mr Boado would be at Indigo Shire until mid November, 2006 and would be working on specific projects including project management, stormwater drainage design and asset management surveillance in building and facilitiess.

“The program is great for both Council and the individual as it seeks to provide recently migrated skilled engineers a chance to gain experience in Local Government,” he said.

“There is a shortage of engineers across Victoria and this way we get to learn more about what engineers are doing overseas as well as build the skills of those working with us.

“We hope this initiative will not only encourage other skilled migrants to consider using this program but will also attract more qualified overseas engineers who want to work in Local Government to the North East.”

Mr Boado has been in Australia for almost 18 months and came to Australia to expand his skills.

He said Australia was known in the engineering sector as being innovative and advanced in its use of technology.

“It has been very different working in Australia so far and I have already developed my skills on the computer,” he said.

“This is a golden opportunity for me and my family.”

Mr Boado is married to wife Jenny and has two children, a boy Immanuel aged 12 and daughter Christine, aged 5.

He recommends the program to other engineers as a fantastic way to gain experience and develop new skills.