Every council across New South Wales is set to benefit from a new State Government workforce development program with many councils already welcoming onboard their new recruits according to the peak body for NSW councils.
Under the ‘Fresh Start For Local Government Apprentices, Trainees and Cadets Grants Program’, the NSW Government is injecting $252.2 million to employ new starters over the next six years.
Rounds one and two of the program have already been successfully rolled out with every council in the State being approved for at least one new role under the scheme.
Local Government NSW acting president, Mayor Claire Pontin said the Fresh Start program was the result of years of advocacy and hard work.
“For many years councils across the State, have identified skills shortages in their workforces as a growing source of concern. LGNSW has been working hard with the Minns Government and unions to deliver this program and it’s just terrific to now see those much-needed workers start their careers in local government” said Mayor Pontin.
“Working for a local council in NSW provides a secure, balanced, and rewarding career path where you can make a meaningful impact in your local community. We warmly welcome these new recruits to the local government family” said Mayor Pontin.
Under the scheme, Councils were able to identify the roles that were most needed in their communities, including 146 parks and gardens staff, 44 early childhood education trainees, 58 apprentice mechanics and 25 apprentice electricians.
Importantly, 47 planning and 58 engineering cadets were approved under the scheme, further demonstrating the willingness and commitment of local government to help tackle the housing crisis.
The skills shortages across local government were well documented in the Local Government Workforce Skills and Capability Survey carried out by the Australian Local Government Association in 2022. That report highlighted that the shortages were present right across the sector, but felt particularly in rural, regional and remote areas.
“The fact that so many councils jumped at the opportunity to apply for the Fresh Start program shows you how real the need was” Mayor Pontin said.
“I’m particularly pleased to see that more than 60 per cent of the approved new roles are in regional and rural councils, providing a major boost to those communities and creating more job opportunities for people in country towns. It really is a win-win-win”
Round three of the Fresh Start program will open in July 2025.
