NSW Government Opens Nominations for Inaugural Local Government Training Awards

Nominations have opened for the inaugural NSW Local Government Training Awards, a new statewide program designed to recognise apprentices, trainees, and cadets in New South Wales councils, the NSW Government announced.

The awards program aims to acknowledge individuals beginning their careers in local government, alongside the supervisors, mentors, and councils supporting their skills development. It operates alongside the state government's Fresh Start program, which funds 1,700 apprentice, trainee, and cadet positions across NSW councils. According to the government, more than 1,100 people are currently employed in these roles statewide.

The awards will cover 14 categories, recognizing apprentices, trainees, cadets, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants, young achievers, workplace supervisors, mentors, and metropolitan, regional, and rural councils.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig stated that the awards aim to recognise both early-career council workers and the councils providing effective training and support. Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan noted that the initiative highlights the development of the future local government workforce.

United Services Union General Secretary Graeme Kelly OAM described the related Fresh Start program as a significant investment in training workers across the state's local councils.

Nominations are scheduled to close at 5:00 PM on 26 October 2026. The inaugural awards ceremony is set to take place on 8 December 2026 at The Calyx in the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney.

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