Hiring hundreds more apprentices in councils every year
Media Release /Saturday, 4 July 2026
The Minns Labor Government is extending the state’s largest apprentice program in decades, enabling councils to hire hundreds more apprentices, creating stable jobs in regional communities and strengthening the future local government workforce.
The Fresh Start program has created 1,300 more apprenticeship, trainee and cadet roles in councils across NSW to address workforce shortages.
The program enables students and school leavers to study and learn on the job while gaining a nationally accredited qualification, with their wages fully funded by the NSW Government.
This additional multi-million dollar investment will create 400 more roles next year including 200 apprentices, 100 trainees and 100 cadets, bringing the total number of new council roles funded under the program to 1,700 in just four years.
Since the Fresh Start program commenced, more than 1,100 people have started working in councils, the majority of these under the age of 25. There are also 112 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruits, most of them working in regional and rural councils.
The program has been particularly beneficial for our regions where young people typically have less opportunities to build careers in their hometowns. So far 65 percent of Fresh Start recruits have been hired in regional and rural councils, delivering vital skills where they’re needed most.
As these recruits come to the end of their training, hundreds of young people will soon land permanent jobs in councils for in-demand roles including in civil construction, carpentry, planning, early education and mechanics.
More than 50,000 people work across the state’s 128 councils, with many people who start learning their trade in councils going on to have life-long careers in local government.
This investment by the Minns Labor Government is a commitment to the sector’s future as we continue to rebuild councils’ in-house trade capabilities after they were depleted under the Liberals and Nationals.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
“The Fresh Start program is the biggest state government investment in directly hiring new apprentices in decades.
“It’s a huge boost to the local government workforce that will give more young people the chance to learn hands-on skills in jobs that are close to home.
“This is about backing councils to ensure they have a strong workforce for the future so they can continue providing the services we all rely on.”
Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:
“Since Fresh Start was launched, I’ve spoken with councils across New South Wales about the difference this program is making, and it’s clear it’s helping councils attract and train the skilled workforce they need for the future.
“For regional communities it’s giving young people secure jobs and the chance to upskill while still being able to work close to home. For councils, it’s setting up a pipeline of skilled workers, so that councils retain trade capabilities in-house and don’t have to outsource. Instead, councils are now investing in their own local people and giving them a future.
“This additional funding will build on the success of Fresh Start, giving more young people the opportunity to upskill and access stable, long-term career pathways in local government—an investment in their future.”
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:
“Through the Fresh Start program, the Minns Labor Government is creating hundreds more apprenticeship, trainee and cadet opportunities in councils across NSW, helping more people gain the skills that work and build rewarding careers close to home.
“This investment will help councils meet growing demand for skilled workers while strengthening the local workforce that delivers essential services and infrastructure for communities across the state.”
United Services Union General Secretary Graeme Kelly OAM said:
“The investment in the Fresh Start program for Local Government has transformed the lives of over 1,000 people reskilling local government into the future with further investment still to come.
“Local communities will reap the benefits along with those trainees for decades to come, this is an outstanding initiative by the Minns Labor Government.”
