General

Are school-based trainees considered as part of this program?

Yes, roles for school-based trainees can be funded by the program.

Can an existing apprentice or trainee be employed under this program?

Apprentices and trainees can be new or those who have completed 50% or less of the nominal duration of their apprenticeship or traineeship and are not currently employed by the organisation as an apprentice or trainee.

Can councils share a recruit?

Apprentices, trainees and cadets funded by the program can only be employed by one organisation. Eligible organisations can choose to transfer a recruit to another eligible organisation where there is mutual agreement to do so. More information on transfers can be found in the grant guidelines.

Cadetships

Can cadetships be structured as part-time?

Cadetships can be part-time or full-time.

Are university fees for cadets covered under the program funding?

University fees are not covered under the program funding.

Is there a standard training plan template for cadets?

Councils are encouraged to make use of the training plan template for cadetships only, available on OLG’s Council Portal.

Using Group Training Organisations

Can the new apprentices, trainees and cadets be employed through a group training organisation?

The apprentices, trainees and cadets funded by the program must be directly employed by the organisation receiving the grant funding. Organisations may use Group Training Organisations (GTO) to assist in their recruitment of new staff but cannot use funding from the program to meet the costs of the GTO.

Accessing funding

How do I access the grant funds once my application is approved?

The first payment will be an advance of six months wages, made after Council submits an approved training contract and letter for each recruit.  Further payments will be made quarterly in arrears on submission of quarterly reporting.

Changes to the terms and conditions

Can we engage a Training Provider that is not listed on the Smart and Skilled Provider List?

Organisations are strongly encouraged to identify subsidised training providers available on the Smart and Skilled Provider List. These are Registered Training Organisations (RTO) that deliver NSW Government subsidised training for the 2025-2026 period. Should a council decide to engage a non-Smart and Skilled provider there may be costs associated to training delivery.

Can we change Registered Training Organisation during the apprenticeship or traineeship term

Any amendment to the approved training contract and approved training plan would need to be resubmitted to OLG for re-approval within 5 business days of the amendment date and further approvals would be required from Training Services.

What should I do if I encounter issues or delays in my project?

Councils can apply to OLG to temporarily suspend the provision of training to a funded employee for a specified period of time. OLG must be notified of this in the next reporting period of the suspension occurring.

What happens with the funding if a recruit decides to leave a couple of months into the program? Can we employ another recruit and still receive funding?

Funding is linked to the individual new recruit, not the position.  If an individual does not continue the program, the funding for the position will end. Council may apply to recruit the same position in the next round of funding. 

What happens to the funding if a trainee decides to leave the program early? Can we replace them and still receive funding?

Funding is linked to the individual new recruit, not the position. If the recruit discontinues their training the funding will cease.