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Work experience and training programs

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Kickstart your career with Council's work experience and skills programs, including apprenticeships and graduate opportunities.

Work experience and training opportunities

About our programs

There are various types of employment pathways available at Council to help kick start or develop your career. These pathways include:

apprenticeships

traineeships

pre-trade work experience

cadetships

graduate programs

tertiary work experience.

Our programs provide participants with opportunities to gain training, skills and experience in a supportive environment.

Council invites applications for our work experience and training programs when opportunities become available throughout the year. 

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Training opportunities we offer

Council runs apprenticeship programs to provide you with skills, training and experience to graduate as a qualified tradesperson.

Fields in which we employ trade apprentices

  • auto electrical 
  • auto manufacturing
  • heavy vehicle mechanical
  • signage and graphics
  • carpentry
  • electrical 
  • engineering fabrication 
  • painting and decorating 
  • plumbing
  • horticulture 
  • arboriculture
  • parks and gardens
  • sports turf management. 

Who can apply?

  • Australian and New Zealand citizens aged 15 years or older.
  • Permanent residency visa, temporary protection visa or temporary residency visa holders aged 15 years or older.

Council's traineeship programs will provide you with the skills, training and experience to launch your chosen career. 

You’ll receive a nationally recognised qualification when you complete your program and can apply for roles in administration, civil construction, horticulture, library services and more. 

Fields in which we employ trainees

  • administration
  • civil construction
  • customer engagement
  • horticulture
  • libraries.

Who can apply?

  • Australian and New Zealand citizens aged 15 years or older.
  • Permanent residency visa, temporary protection visa or temporary residency visa holders aged 15 years or older.

Trades in which Council offer hands-on, unpaid work experience:

  • auto electrical
  • auto manufacturing
  • heavy vehicle mechanical
  • signage and graphics
  • auto electrical
  • auto manufacturing
  • carpentry
  • electrical
  • engineering (fabrication)
  • heavy vehicle mechanics
  • painting and decorating
  • parks and gardens
  • plumbing.

Who can apply?

  • Secondary school students (up to 10 days each calendar year, or longer if required).
  • Students completing a pre-vocational training course with a registered training organisation (RTO) (up to 20 days each calendar year).

Information to provide:

  • the type of trade you’re interested in
  • your preferred placement dates
  • why you’re interested in a pre-trade work experience placement with Council
  • any related school or pre-vocational training subjects
  • any relevant work experience, or school/community projects you've been involved in that could help support your placement.

To apply for a pre-trade work experience, send your application via email to the Council's Employment programs team.

If you’re a tertiary student, you can be a part of our one-year cadetship pathway development program in the final two years of your undergraduate degree. 

You’ll get paid to work at Council on a part-time basis (two days a week) in work related to your study. 

We offer cadetships in: 

  • business and data analytics
  • communication
  • engineering (civil, mechanical, environmental)
  • human resources
  • planning and environment.

If you’re a university graduate with a degree completed within the past 2 years, you can apply for our one-year graduate pathway development program. 

Fields in which we offer graduate programs include:

  • engineering (civil, mechanical, environmental)
  • business and data analytics
  • change management
  • human resources 
  • planning and environment
  • finance and accounting
  • information and communications technology programming and development.

Who can apply?

  • Holders of a recognised degree or postgraduate degree from a tertiary institution which was completed within the last 2 years.
  • Students completing a recognised degree or postgraduate degree from a tertiary institution and have graduated prior to the designated commencement date of the program.
  • People with a visa/work rights that allow this type of activity (if applicable).

Information to provide:

  • why you’re interested in a graduate program with Council and how you’re suited to it
  • any related subjects you studied at university
  • transferrable skills you've developed through work experience, or any university, community or volunteer projects you've been involved with.

Council offers unpaid work experience opportunities for domestic and international university students in Brisbane. 

You’ll be placed for up to 30 days each calendar year (or longer if required) in an area that’s relevant to your skills and knowledge. 

Fields in which we offer work experience:

  • business
  • engineering
  • event management
  • finance
  • human resources
  • information technology
  • law and governance
  • libraries
  • marketing and communication
  • urban planning.

Who can apply?

Students who:

  • are enrolled in a tertiary program at a recognised Australian degree-granting institution
  • have personal accident insurance and public liability insurance coverage provided by a tertiary institution
  • hold a visa/work rights that allow this type of activity (if applicable).

Frequently asked questions

Brisbane City Council is the largest local government in Australia where you can thrive in an environment of abundant opportunity and diversity.

Our workplace has a strong and supportive culture where you’ll feel empowered to put ideas into action.

Types of job roles available at Council include: 

  • professional 
  • trade and labour 
  • bus operator.