Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to 1,300 new positions over six years from January 2025,
- Application opened: 22 October 2024
- Application closed: 8 November 2024
Program objective
The Program funding addresses identified workforce shortages, skill gaps and will boost critical workforce numbers within the local government sector, which currently employs more than 50,000 people
Through the Program funding of wages for new apprentices, trainees and cadets, the NSW Government seeks to:
- Increase the local government workforce through the employment of apprentices, trainees and cadets (recruits) over the next six years.
- Build capacity in councils and a stronger local government sector.
- Create positive social outcomes by generating local education and employment opportunities particularly targeting youth.
This program is administered by Office of Local Government.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Local government organisations eligible for funding are defined to be either:
- a council
- a county council
- a joint organisation
Apprentices and trainees recruited through the program can be new or those who have completed 50% or less of the nominal duration of their apprenticeship or traineeship and are not currently employed as an apprentice or trainee. It is not the intention of this funding to take from the existing workforce.
Who the grant is targeted towards
The program is aimed toward all eligible local government organisation that:
- have capacity to hire, supervise and train an apprentice or trainee
- have a skills shortage or workforce gaps
- are actively succession planning for their workforce
- seek to uplift their communities education and employment capacity
Types of projects funded under this grant
Eligible positions applied for under this funding will meet the funding objectives outlined in the program guidelines
- Addressing workforce challenges
- Career Pathway
- Qualification and training
- Demonstrated need
- Demonstrated Capacity (Recruitment, Supervision, Premises)
What costs you can apply for
For further details on eligible funded costs please see program guidelines
Who can’t apply
Applications by individuals are not eligible for this grant.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
Applications not funded by this grant include those for:
- the engagement of external service providers to undertake recruitment to funded positions
- existing recruits who have completed 50% or more of the nominal duration of an apprenticeship or traineeship.
- existing apprentices or trainees recruited before the grant application was assessed
Additional eligibility requirements
Applicants must be an eligible organisation type (council, county council or joint organisation) and their application must demonstrate that the proposed positions:
- meet the program objectives
- are needed and are new
- have available and appropriately qualified supervisors
- are not targeting existing recruits who have completed 50% or more of their apprenticeship or traineeship
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
- Confirm eligibility of organisation
- Identify business needs
- Align to Workforce Management Strategy
- Plan recruitment strategy, considering inclusion and diversity pathways
- Prepare responses to program criteria (funding objectives, workforce challenges, need, capacity and inclusion, diversity and social outcomes)
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Address the assessment criteria
The core assessment criteria require applicants to:
- meet the objectives of the grant program
- demonstrate a need for new trainees, apprentices or cadets
- demonstrate capacity to recruit and supervise candidates
More details on these criteria can be found in the program guidelines.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Deputy Secretary, Office of the Local Government, (OLG)
As administrator of the Program, OLG will work within the annual budget funding available across the duration of the Program and factor this into the competitive assessment process when determining the allocation of funding.
Assessments will be undertaken in accordance with NSW Grants Administration Guide.
- Initial Eligibility Review,
- Assessment / Panel Review
- OLG Deputy Secretary Approval
OLG will notify successful applicants of their provisional approval within four weeks of the closing date to enable these organisations to proceed/finalise recruitment for the new roles. Once provisional approval is granted, final approval is guaranteed on notification of sucessful recruitment.
Organisations will then need to provide OLG with final information, including a copy of the signed Training Agreement, and for cadetships a copy of the Training Plan, for final approval and allocation of initial funds.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is Within four weeks of the closing date (provisional approval)
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is Within four weeks of completed training plan submission of the successful new hire (final approval and allocation of initial funds)
Support and contact
Office of Local Government
Apprentices and Trainees Grants Program Team
T: 4428 4100
E: freshstart@olg.nsw.gov.au