Hundreds of new apprentices and trainees vital to the delivery of essential local services have hit the ground running with councils across the state, and 11 across the Orange electorate, thanks to a landmark $252.2 million investment by the Minns Labor Government.
More than 60 per cent of the approved new roles are in regional and rural councils, providing a major boost to regional communities and more job opportunities for people in country towns.
Stephen Lawrence MLC said: “Across the electorate of Orange, Council staff are out in our communities every day, providing the services we often take for granted, and this program is a massive boost for local government and for young people looking for a job where they can work in their local community.”
Across NSW state electorates of Orange, the following have been awarded:
• Orange Orange City Council 7
• Orange Cabonne Council 4
Top position roles include: Parks and Gardens, Business Administration, Engineering, Civil Construction, Waste and Water, Urban and Regional Planning, Mechanics, Childcare, Building (Surveying, Inspection, etc.), Electricians, Information Technology, Finance, Plumbers and Environmental Services.
The NSW Government’s Fresh Start program is funding the wages of an additional 1,300 apprentices, trainees and cadets in the local government sector over the next six years. Councils have now been given the green light to employ 1,008 new apprentices, trainees and cadets this year under the first two rounds of funding.
The program has shown great success with nearly 90 per cent of local government organisations successfully applying for funding. A third round will be open to councils soon aimed exclusively at apprentices, providing opportunities for hundreds more young people start jobs in councils from January next year.