Kick Start Your Career with Council 2025 Apprentice and Trainee Program

Ready to launch your career while gaining a nationally recognised qualification?
Council’s 2025 Apprentice and Trainee Program is here to help you take the next step toward a brighter future.
This exciting initiative offers on the job experience, structured training, and a chance to earn while you learn, all without racking up study debt.
Whether you are passionate about technology, business, or skilled trades, there is a place for you in our team.
Available positions:
Information Technology Traineeship – Certificate III in Information Technology;
Business Traineeship – Certificate III in Business;
Apprentice Plumber – Certificate III in Plumbing; and
Apprentice Fitter and Turner – Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade.
 
Applications close 5.00pm Friday 29 November 2024.
Interested applicants must submit a cover letter, address the Selection Criteria and complete the Recruitment Eligibility Form. To apply, please visit Council’s website, Careers at Council page. For further information regarding the 2025 Apprentice and Trainee Program, please contact Council’s Human Resources Team on 4776 4632.

 
(Left to Right) Council's Human Resources Administration Trainee Amaya Fortini who is currently undertaking a Certificate IV in Business Administration and Council's Human Resources Manager Jodi Spencer.
 
Hinchinbrook’s Bold Step Toward a Brighter Future
Regional University Study Hub Application
Council is advancing toward a game changing opportunity for local education and workforce development, as its application for the 2024 Regional University Study Hubs Program progresses to the assessment stage. This initiative aims to establish a Country Universities Centre (CUC) co-located at the TAFE Queensland North Ingham Campus, creating a vital educational lifeline for the region.
CUC Hinchinbrook seeks funding for both its infrastructure and operations from 2024 through to 2028, with an ambitious goal to bridge Hinchinbrook’s educational and workforce gaps. As a community-driven and community owned organisation, CUC Hinchinbrook would bring regional residents closer to accessible, high quality tertiary education.
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A Region Ready for Change
Hinchinbrook Shire is grappling with a unique set of challenges. The local workforce, while increasingly qualified, has seen most growth in certificate level qualifications, lagging behind Queensland’s regional average in professional occupations. At the same time, migration patterns show younger residents leaving for larger cities while older populations grow, a trend that leaves industries struggling to attract skilled workers from outside.
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Grow Your Own Skilled Workforce
The proposed Regional University Study Hub aligns with Hinchinbrook’s “Grow Your Own Skilled Workforce” strategy, which focuses on equipping residents with the skills required to support local industries. With projections from Oxford Economics Australia indicating that 90% of individuals aged 25 to 34 will need tertiary qualifications by 2050, the timing for such an initiative is crucial.
CUC Hinchinbrook would not only address immediate skill gaps but also prepare residents for emerging opportunities in sustainable farming, low carbon agriculture, and agricultural data analysis fields that align with Hinchinbrook’s agricultural strengths.
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A Game Changer for Education Access
The challenges of pursuing higher education in Hinchinbrook are well documented geographic isolation, financial constraints, technological barriers, and limited awareness all play a role in hindering access. The Regional University Study Hub promises to tackle these head on, offering localised academic resources, financial assistance, and comprehensive support services.
More than just a facility, CUC Hinchinbrook would foster a culture of learning and community engagement, empowering residents to achieve their aspirations while fuelling the region’s economic growth.
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A Vision for Hinchinbrook’s Future
Hinchinbrook’s application with the Regional University Study Hub Program is more than a request for funding, it’s a declaration of intent to transform the region’s future. By investing in education and skills, the Hinchinbrook Shire Council aims to build a robust, self sustaining workforce that meets the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.
As the application moves to the next stage of assessment, hopes are high that the proposed study hub will become a cornerstone of Hinchinbrook’s growth, setting the stage for a more equitable, prosperous, and resilient community.
The final decision is anticipated in early 2025, with successful applicants to be announced by February 2024. If approved, CUC Hinchinbrook is expected to open its doors to students for Semester Two 2025, marking the beginning of a new era for education and opportunity in the Hinchinbrook region.
 
 

 
Council's Economic Development and Tourism Coordinator Julie Mac Pherson, Founder of Country Universities Centre Duncan Taylor, Director of Strategic Partnerships Country Universities Centre Paul Cranch and Councillor Mary Brown.

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