Why an apprenticeship or traineeship with your local council might have everything you're looking for

Are you looking to gain a nationally-recognised qualification in an in-demand profession, get paid while you learn, and play a part in your local community, doing an apprenticeship, traineeship or cadetship through your local council could be a great option for you. 

The NSW Government is investing $252.2 million over six years to employ an additional 1300 apprentices, trainees and cadets in the local government sector across the state. The aim is to increase the local government workforce by 15%, with in-demand trades at the forefront to ensure that local communities are receiving critical infrastructural support from qualified and skilled professionals. 

Here are just a few of the great benefits on offer by kickstarting your career with your local council: 

You receive an in-demand qualification, and get paid to learn 

If you’re looking for a qualification to start your career, but you aren’t interested in going to university, then apprenticeships, traineeships or cadetships can be a great option. They provide you the opportunity to learn on the job, gain additional skills, support and knowledge through classroom experiences, and begin to receive pay even before you’re fully qualified. Positions are more likely to open for in-demand professions, such as electricians, plumbers, engineers, civil construction workers, mechanics, planning cadets and more. 

Council apprenticeships, traineeships and cadets are also available across a wide range of industries and professions, including health and marketing, to engineering, environmental conservation, individual support and more. 

It’s a great way to explore a career with less commitment: 

While completing an apprenticeship, traineeship or cadetship takes around 3-4 years to complete, there are many advantages to starting your career this way compared to through the university system. Learning while you work means you get a feel for the job from day one, helping you figure out the path you’d like your career to take. Even if you don’t end up pursuing a career in that field after you finish, you still walk away with in-demand, career-ready skills while trying out a job – all without the commitments of starting a qualification through the university system. 

You get to play a part in your local community 

The best thing about working for your local council is that it’s, well, local! Being a Council apprentice, trainee or cadet gives you the opportunity to make a difference in your local community, helping to plan, oversee, or build infrastructure, preserve your local environment, support others in your community, or one of many other ways to have a positive influence.  

It’s a great pathway to further employment 

You may not know this, but local government employs more than 50,000 people across 128 councils in NSW, and the NSW Government is aiming to grow that number by 15% over the next few years, meaning that there could be more than 7500 new jobs on the way for people working in council-related careers. While completing an apprenticeship, traineeship or cadetship with the local council doesn’t guarantee a permanent role once you’ve gained a qualification, you’ll have a great professional network, and many council employees also go on to work in nearby private companies. 

How do I get started? 

If you’re interested in starting an apprenticeship, traineeship or cadetship with your Local Council, find out more at olg.nsw.gov.au/apprentice-trainee or apply via your local council.