Apprentice Horticulture x3

Shellharbour NSW, New South Wales

Description

Do you have a passion for working outdoors and city presentation?

As a Horticulture Apprentice, you will support the Open Spaces team and gain practical skills in parks and reserve maintenance to keep our open spaces well presented and maintained. Based at our Oak Flats Services Depot, you will have the opportunity of rotation in the areas of open spaces, parks and gardens, turf/sportsfield maintenance, greenkeeping, nursery, tree maintenance and bush regeneration.

You will complete a Certificate III in Horticulture Course at Yallah TAFE to gain and develop practical knowledge and skills associated with the presentation of our city. This opportunity is open to school leavers, mature age applicants, second year apprentices and/or those who have already commenced their Certificate III in Horticulture.

This is more than a trade. Our apprenticeships cover theoretical and practical requirements of on the job and off the job training. After completing your apprenticeship you will have formal qualifications with four years of practical experience with ability to gain additional tickets such as Medium Rigid (MR) truck licence, forklift ticket, loader competency and more.

Our continuing commitment to expand our Cadet, Apprentice and Traineeship (CAT) program aims to grow Council\'s skilled workforce capacity by creating job opportunities and a talent pipeline for specialised roles. This is our third stage of expansion with a focus on the Open Spaces team. Council\'s CAT program provides ongoing training, guidance and support from workplace mentors while completing a nationally recognised qualification.

For more information on our CAT program, details are available internally.

About

About us: Shellharbour City, located in the Illawarra region, is just 80 minutes south of Sydney and is home to over 82,000 people in a city that spans 154 square kilometres. It is an area of great natural beauty, stretching west from the picturesque coastline to rolling pastures with the Illawarra escarpment as a backdrop. Shellharbour City Council is committed to financial sustainability, a strong organisational culture, and employing staff who embrace our core values.

We have been recognised with numerous state and national awards, including wins for our First Nations community initiatives and recognition in NSW Landscape Architecture Awards, Regional Achievement Awards, and Parks and Leisure Australia Regional Awards of Excellence.

• Temporary Full time up to 4 years (or for the duration of the apprenticeship)
• 38 hours per week with access to a 9 Day-fortnight
• Salary range from $601.70 per week (for a 16 year old) up to $827.40 per week (for someone aged 18 and over)
• Plus 12% superannuation
• On the job training
• Compulsory course costs are paid by Council
• Approved leave to attend TAFE
• Great culture with a strong, values led and progressive team
• Employee benefits programs including novated lease options and significant retail discounts, corporate fitness programs, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Provident Fund activities, weekly pay, and more
• Access to local government and employee benefits such as long service leave after five years, three weeks sick leave per annum, health and wellbeing leave and more

• Pre-placement Medical examination
• General Construction Induction Card (White Card) prior to commencement

For further information about the position, refer to the position description. Contact: Tiffany Henderson, Team Coordinator Parks (City West) on 0408 300 767 or Greg Perkins, Team Coordinator Parks (City East) on 0408 718 324.

Closing date: Wednesday, 24 September 2025 at 11:30pm. Interview schedule: Group interviews are scheduled for Tuesday, 14 October 2025. Second-round interviews during the week commencing 27 October 2025.

Complete the application below by answering the questions, describing how your skills and experience are relevant to the position. Attach your resume and qualifications on the next page. You may save and return to the application later; incomplete applications will not be considered. Ensure you have the correct email address and check your inbox (including junk). For more information about the selection process, view the Guide To Applying.

Shellharbour City Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values the strengths and talents of all people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with a disability are encouraged to apply. We promote a workplace free from discrimination and harassment and are committed to safeguarding children and young people in our services and spaces.