Looking for an apprenticeship, traineeship or cadetship? Councils are now hiring for positions to start in early 2025.

You could:

• Be paid while you learn from experienced mentors
• Gain hands-on experience
• Experience a diverse range of tasks and projects
• Earn a recognised qualification that’s valued in the job market
• Make a positive difference in your community
• Kickstart your future career in local government

Contact your local council today to learn more about opportunities in 2025.

If you’re a jobseeker or school leaver and you’re interested in starting an apprenticeship, traineeship or cadetship in local government, contact your local council.

Contact details for councils can be found in the Local Government Directory

You can also look for job ads on council websites and Seek.

The NSW Government is investing $252.2 million over six years to employ an additional 1,300 apprentices, trainees and cadets in the local government sector across the state.

This investment will train up the next generation of skilled labour while keeping jobs within local councils, reversing the trend of councils outsourcing jobs to contractors.

This funding through the A fresh start for local government apprentices, trainees and cadets program will provide a boost for councils, which are responsible for providing the services and facilities that communities use every day.

The program grant guidelines are available at: Apprentice, Trainee and Cadet Guidelines

Applications are submitted through SmartyGrants at: https://olg.smartygrants.com.au/Fresh-Start-Program-Round2

You can get more information and support for SmartyGrants here: https://olg.smartygrants.com.au/Fresh-Start-Program-Round2

All NSW local councils, county councils and joint organisations are eligible to apply for the funding. Applicants that were successful in Round 1 may also apply for funding in Round 2.

Applications for the second round of grants open on 17 March 2025 and will close on 31 March 2025. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application on 1 May 2025 with new apprentices, trainees and cadets to start work from 1 July 2025.

The program’s round two funding will support up to 650 positions.

Apprentices, trainees and cadets funded by the program can only be employed by one organisation.

Eligible organisations can choose to transfer a recruit to another eligible organisation where there is mutual agreement to do so. More information on transfers can be found in the grant guidelines.

Appropriate wages can be calculated using the Australian Government’s online tool: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay-and-wages/minimum-wages/apprentice-and-trainee-pay-rates.

No, program funding is solely to pay the trainee, apprentice or cadet’s wage and 15 per cent of on-costs. The on-costs include the minimum superannuation guarantee and any increase in workers compensation costs as a result of employing the new recruit.

The apprentices, trainees and cadets funded by the program must be directly employed by the organisation receiving the grant funding.

Organisations may use Group Training Organisations (GTO) to assist in their recruitment of new staff but cannot use funding from the program to meet the costs of the GTO.

There is no restriction on the number of positions an applicant can apply for.  Where the program is over-subscribed, the Assessment Panel may consider broader factors to decide which positions are recommended for funding.

Applications for round 2 close on Friday 31 March 2025 at 11pm.

Yes, roles for school-based trainees can be funded by the program.

The first payment will be made when the recruit’s training contract or training plan is approved. Payments will then be made in arrears quarterly, on confirmation that training has continued.

The duration of funding will vary depending on the type of role, apprenticeship, traineeship or cadetship.

Funding is provided for the nominal term of the apprenticeship, traineeship or cadetship as prescribed in the Funding Deed between the Office of Local Government and the successful applicant organisation.

Cadetships can be part-time or full-time.

University fees are not covered under the program funding.

Councils are encouraged to make use of the Training Plan Template for Cadetships Only available on OLG’s Council Portal.

A council is required to engage an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider to help with the preparation and registration and the completion of a Training Contract. This is a free service. For an apprenticeship or traineeship to be legal in NSW, the employer and apprentice/trainee must sign a Training Contract and have it approved by Training Services.

Apprentices and trainees can be new or those who have completed 50% or less of the nominal duration of their apprenticeship or traineeship and are not currently employed by the organisation as an apprentice or trainee.

Funding is linked to the individual new recruit, not the position. If the recruit discontinues their training the funding will cease.

Organisations are strongly encouraged to identify subsidised training providers available on the Smart and Skilled Provider List. These are Registered Training Organisations (RTO) that deliver NSW Government subsidised training for the 2025-2026 period. Should a council decide to engage a non-Smart and Skilled provider there may be costs associated to training delivery.

Funding is for the nominal training term of the apprenticeship or traineeship and 2 years for cadetships.

Any amendment to the Approved Training Contract and Approved Training Plan would need to be resubmitted to OLG for re-approval within 5 Business Days of the amendment date and further approvals would be required from Training Services.

Reporting will be via SmartyGrants and will involve administrative reporting and acquittal throughout the funding term. Details are provided in the Funding Agreement.

Council can request OLG to re-open the Application Form in SmartyGrants before the closing date of 31 March 2025.  No changes will be allowed after the round has closed.

The first payment will be an advance of six months wages, made after Council submits an approved Training Contract and Letter for each recruit.  Further payments will be made quarterly in arrears on submission of quarterly reporting.

Councils can apply to OLG to temporarily suspend the provision of training to a funded employee for a period of time.  OLG must be notified of this in the next reporting period of the suspension occurring.

Funding is linked to the individual new recruit, not the position.  If an individual does not continue the program, the funding for the position will end.  Council may apply to recruit the same position in the next round of funding.

The program will run over six years and further rounds of grant funding are planned.

Round 3 applications are planned to open in mid-July 2025 (TBC), with employment of new recruits to commence from 1 January 2026.

Contact the Fresh Start Program team at freshstart@olg.nsw.gov.au.

Fresh start – Communication toolkit for stakeholders – Powerpoint – 7.2MB

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