Hansard trainees (clockwise from top-L): Joshua Baum, Barbara Purazeni, Samuel Pritchard, Nicola Matthews, Jared Rogala, Melissa Crowther

With over a third of its workforce in training, the new cohort of trainees is changing the face and ways of Hansard. Hansard is undergoing significant shifts in team dynamics, brought on by a mixture of retirements and general shifts in employment attitudes, including more frequent job and career changes. Hansard’s workforce now consists of 63 employees, with 20 currently in training.

Hansard trainees undertake a one to two-year program, involving eight training units, including voice recognition, committee and chamber editing and proofreading. This training prepares new recruits for the important work of reporting the proceedings of the Australian Parliament.

The seasonal nature of Hansard employment means many trainees are employed on a temporary basis during and around sitting weeks. As a result, trainees often enjoy other careers to complement their Hansard commitments. Barbara Purazeni is a trainee, a mum of two teenagers, and working as a casual nurse in Newcastle.

‘My kids were growing up, and I wanted to look for other options to provide for my family. I love reading, writing and trying new things so when I saw a Hansard job advert I applied. I love it.’

Barbara moved from Zimbabwe via the skilled migration program and was looking for additional work.

A common thread amongst trainees is the reward they gain from learning about a variety of topics. Trainee Melissa Crowther is passionate about editing and learning and declared, ‘I now joke to my husband that, when I’m retired, I plan on viewing all the public hearings—it’s just so interesting and that’s what makes Hansard fascinating.’

Hansard Director Daniel Knox says, ‘The engagement of trainees is leading to a fresher perspective. The team is revisiting work practices and challenging previous thinking. It’s really broadening the culture of the team—the new waves of trainees are taking us into the future.’