NSW Government infrastructure traineeship: Creating a pipeline of talent to address skills gaps while supporting NSW's young people

The NSW Government is providing paid training opportunities for Year 12 school leavers in New South Wales to assist in addressing the shortage of skilled infrastructure employment needed to deliver on the pipeline of work in Australia. The traineeship is a collaboration between NSW Government infrastructure agencies and approved industry partners.

The 2-year traineeship in the infrastructure sector is office based, with trainees spending three 8 month rotations with government, contractors and consultants.

Trainees spending time within a consultancy provides valuable exposure, helping to demystify the role that consultants play in delivering infrastructure projects and exposes trainees to multiple areas of organisations.

The NSW government is calling on the infrastructure and construction industry to commit to supporting NSW’s young people by hosting a trainee for an 8 month rotation commencing in March, June or October each year.

The Infrastructure Traineeship will boost the professional experience of Year 12 school leavers who are interested in office-based infrastructure and construction roles.

A host employer’s commitment will involve mentoring, supporting and providing practical experience, and demonstrating how infrastructure projects are delivered.

Becoming a host employer is as easy as:

• Sharing your expertise and connecting your organisation with emerging talent.

• Providing the trainee with a unique opportunity as you showcase the valuable role consulting plays in planning and delivering infrastructure.

• Giving an opportunity for a young person to gain real experience by getting them job-ready under challenging economic conditions.

• Boosting professional experience and upskilling staff through mentoring and leadership opportunities.

Infrastructure Traineeship is seeking host employers in regional and city areas as trainees will come from all areas across NSW. Potential host employers can learn about the benefits, how to get involved and hear about experiences from other host employers by visiting the Infrastructure Traineeship website.

Investing in young people is simple. Register now to become a host employer.

Meet an Infrastructure trainee

What I like about the traineeship is the range of people I have had the opportunity to meet, all with different skillsets and a wealth of knowledge. I love sitting in on meetings and hearing about project updates and discussions had in relation to problems occurring on the projects.

Hailee Strawns

Infrastructure trainee in Project Management

My name is Hailee Strawns and I’m studying a Certificate IV in Project Management Practice. I’ve worked with BMD Constructions, Transport for NSW and am currently working at EnviroScience Solutions and based in Dubbo, NSW.

I applied for the traineeship because I was looking for a new career, something outside of retail. I live out of home and support myself and was looking for a full-time job.

What I like about the traineeship is the range of people I have had the opportunity to meet, all with different skillsets and a wealth of knowledge. I love sitting in on meetings and hearing about project updates and discussions had in relation to problems occurring on the projects. I love listening to everyone’s opinions on how these problems can be solved and the respect everyone has for each other’s ideas. I also love how the traineeship combines studying and work as I love being busy throughout the workday.

I am learning so many different skills such as filling in project documentation, some admin skills such as booking accommodation for our site teams, project management fundamentals and the project life cycle and how this is seen in a real-life project. I am learning about different organisations and their views on project management and how it is implemented in each part of the company.

I am working with many different people including project managers and senior project managers, commercial officers, administrative personnel, work health and safety managers, traffic supervisors and foremen, design and construction teams and many other people.

I was lucky enough to be on the same project as I was in my first rotation. Now, I am on the contractor side giving me a different way of looking at the project. The project I am working on is the Newell Highway Upgrade, where my company is building new overtaking lanes across the Newell network and increasing its safety for all road users. They are doing this by improving the current pavement and road structures such as shoulders and centrelines.

After I complete the traineeship, I want to gain a permanent full-time position with one of my host agencies doing project management. I am not quite sure which one yet.

3 words to describe my experience so far are: Exciting, educational, and valuable!

Do you know a 2022 or 2021 year 12 school leaver?

Applications for the 2023 program are now open, please ask them to visit the Infrastructure Traineeship website to learn more or apply though Apprenticeship Careers Australia.