Traineeships and Work Experience

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Penrith City Council (02) 4732 7777 (02) 4732 7958 council@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au 601 High St Penrith NSW 2750 Australia
Traineeships and Work Experience

Learn more about our award-winning traineeship and work experience programs.

Traineeships and Apprenticeships

Combining on-the-job experience and study towards a nationally recognised qualification, our Annual Traineeship Program offers positions in Business Administration, Children’s Services and Information Technology.

Council offers various Apprenticeship opportunities in Plumbing, Civil Construction, Bushland Management and Nursery Operations.

How to Apply and Eligibility

Council’s Traineeship Program in Business Administration, Children’s Services and Information Technology are advertised annually.

  • Applications for 2025 Traineeship have closed.
  • Applications for 2026 Traineeship will be advertised later in the year.
  • Information Technology Traineeships and Apprenticeships are advertised as they become available.

Applicants will need to visit our Current Opportunities page to apply.

To be eligible for a traineeship or apprenticeship, applicants must:

  • Not hold a Certificate III or IV in any field completed in the last 7 years, and/or Diploma qualification and above in any field of any date
  • Have the ability to work in Australia (if applicable, visa information is required)

For further information about the position please contact the Hiring Supervisor whose number was listed in the job advertisement.

Our Business Administration traineeships are offered in a range of departments at Council. You will be responsible for general office duties and tasks specific to the department while studying a Certificate III in Business through TAFE NSW.

Business Administration Traineeships are offered in a range of Council Departments each year, and trainees are encouraged and supported to apply for roles at Council if they are interested in continuing their career with our organisation.

Children’s Services Trainees will be placed in one of our quality local Children’s Services Centres and attend formal training with TAFE to gain a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Trainees will gain hands on experience in a challenging but impactful career path with many Council trainee’s continuing to progress their careers in roles such as Child Care Assistant, Child Care Aide to Teacher and Director roles.

Our Information Technology department provides technology, software and hardware support to hundreds of Civic Centre and off-site Council staff.

This Trainee will gain on-the-job IT experience, develop communication and diagnostic skills, whilst studying at TAFE to attain a Certificate III in Information, Digital Media.

Council offers a range of Professional Specialist traineeships in areas including Engineering, Environmental Health and Development Assessment Planning to applicants studying in their field.

Employed for the length of their degree, Professional Specialist Trainees have access to a range of study leave options to balance study and full-time employment. In addition, university tuition fees are paid for, under Council’s Educational Assistance Policy.

You can visit our Current Vacancies page to apply for Professional Specialist Trainee positions as they become available.

Council offers various Apprenticeship opportunities in Plumbing, Civil Construction, Bushland Management and Nursery Operations, combining on the job experience with the completion of a relevant tertiary qualification.

Please note our work experience program is currently under review, and we may not be able to accommodate your request at present. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Our work experience program offers experience in a 'real-life' work environment for students (Years 10-12, TAFE, University or College). Due to the large number of requests Council receives for work experience, our program is aimed at students currently studying only. The program offers unpaid developmental opportunities for students studying in a chosen field relevant to the work of Council.

Council currently offers work experience placement in a range of departments, however placements depend on the host department's requirements and availability at a given time.
Work placements are limited to 1 week in most areas, however if it is a course requirement for set hours, please submit your request and we will determine if it can be accommodated. Please note we cannot guarantee any work placements.

Due to the large number of requests, please allow 4 weeks for a response.

All placements must be organised and approved through Council's People and Culture Department.

Am I eligible?
You can apply if you:

  • are a student currently studying (high school - Years 10, 11 or 12, TAFE, university or college) and
  • can provide insurance coverage (certificate of currency for Public Liability & Personal Injury insurance) from your place of study.
  • A Working with Children Check will be conducted before placement for any student 18 years and over (for Children’s Services placements)

How to apply

To apply, please email .
Please provide the following information:

  • name
  • school/college/RTO/University
  • phone number and email address
  • type of placement, including details of what you want to learn and experience in your placement
  • length of placement required
  • specific dates requested
  • your availability (e.g. Monday to Friday)
  • insurance cover details
  • any additional information, such as any reasonable adjustment to the workplace you require

 

Please note, applying for work experience or work placement does not guarantee you a placement.

For more information, email