North Coast councils will be among those eligible to apply for state government funding to employ more apprentices, trainees and cadets, as the next round of the Fresh Start Program opens.
Councils across NSW can now apply for grants to employ up to 574 additional apprentices, trainees and cadets, Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig and Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan announced this week.
The positions include 400 new roles funded through a multi-million dollar expansion of the program announced in July, as well as 174 positions remaining from its previous three funding rounds.
Since the program was announced in 2024, more than 1,100 apprentices, trainees and cadets have started work in NSW councils, including 726 in rural and regional councils.
Recent data from Public Skills Australia’s NSW Local Government Skills Audit identified significant skills gaps across local government, including in engineering, building surveying, town planning, mechanics and horticulture.
Minister Hoenig said councils could only deliver for their communities if they had skilled people to do the job.
“Fresh Start is about something very practical, helping councils train and keep the people they need, while giving people a genuine pathway into a long-term career,” Minister Hoenig said.
“That is especially important in rural and regional NSW, where councils often face the greatest difficulty attracting skilled staff.
“There are now another 574 positions available, and I encourage councils to look at the skills they will need in the years ahead and use this opportunity to build that workforce locally.”
Minister Hoenig pointed to Broken Hill City Council, which has welcomed 11 Fresh Start recruits, with 10 of them aged under 25, as an example of what the program could mean for a community.
Minister Whan said attracting and retaining skilled workers was one of the biggest challenges facing regional communities.
“Fresh Start is creating real opportunities for people to earn while they learn, gain practical skills and build secure, rewarding careers close to home,” Minister Whan said.
“That’s why the Minns Labor Government is backing rural and regional NSW communities with a record $3.46 billion investment in skills, training and TAFE NSW, because local councils need a strong local workforce.”
Applications for Round 4 of the Fresh Start Program close on Friday, 2 October, with new recruits able to begin work from 1 July 2027.
More information for councils, including how to apply, is available on the Office of Local Government website.
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