LOCALLY-owned company LO-GO Appointments has a new state manager, with Steve McKay to take over from business owner Helen Passmore, who aims to focus on the local government recruitment agency’s expanding operations.
With a new office to open in New South Wales within three months, Mr McKay’s appointment will allow Ms Passmore to concentrate on the new operations, including the Queensland office which opened in 1999, and potential international work with Indonesian provincial governments.
Ms Passmore opened LO-GO Appointments five years ago to facilitate the needs of local governments and shires to employ suitable long-term employees.
Mr McKay has been with the company for three years and takes the helm of the WA operations to steer the company forward, particularly with recruiting graduates to the local government sector.
Ms Passmore said working in local government provided graduates with broad-based training and introduced them to the political process.
“It also gives employees a variety of skills, which are sought after by both the private and public sector. Country positions in particular offer oppor-tunities for rapid advancement in the industry,” she said.
Ms Passmore believes the success of meeting local government needs in terms of recruitment stems from intimate knowledge of local govern-ment.
She served on the City of Subiaco Council for nine years, five of which as Mayor.
“I saw the frustrations that local government managers had when employing temporary or new staff with no previous local government experience,” she said.
“I combined my 17 years in general recruitment and knowledge about what Councils were looking for to provide a niche service.”
