Fresh Start program creates new early childhood education apprenticeships, traineeships and cadetships in NSW councils

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) has been named among the key fields supported through the NSW Government’s Fresh Start program, which has so far created 500 apprenticeships, traineeships and cadetships across local councils.

Of these, 27 new roles are dedicated to early childhood education, providing opportunities for people to begin or progress their careers in the sector while addressing growing workforce demand in community-based early learning settings.

The Fresh Start initiative is backed by a $252.2 million investment to deliver 1,300 council-based roles over six years. While the program spans diverse occupations including civil construction, planning and land management, the inclusion of ECEC recognises the sector’s importance in community infrastructure and service delivery.

By employing trainees directly within council-managed early learning services, the program provides:

• Fully funded wages for participants
• Opportunities to study toward nationally recognised ECEC qualifications
• Practical, on-the-job experience in regulated services
• A pathway to long-term employment in local government children’s services

More than 60 per cent of Fresh Start positions are in regional and rural councils, which means ECEC traineeships are reaching communities where access to qualified educators can be particularly challenging.

The program has a strong focus on equity and inclusion, with 70% of recruits aged under 25, 12% identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, 5% identifying as having a disability, and 39% being women.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said the program is helping councils to build sustainable workforces while reducing reliance on external contractors:

“Reaching this milestone means 500 more people working in councils in their local communities. This investment will help ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital workforce which provides the services and builds the infrastructure we rely on every day.”

For ECEC, this means more stable and supported pathways into the profession, embedded within council-run early learning services that are often central to local communities.

A further 292 apprenticeships and traineeships will be created in 2026, spread across 73 councils, with early childhood education expected to remain a priority area as councils respond to local workforce needs.

More information is available via the NSW Government website.