Apprenticeships

Brisbane City Council runs an apprenticeship program providing apprentices with skills, training and experience to graduate as a qualified tradesperson. The program includes on-the-job training (for your chosen trade), as well as training in leadership, communication, negotiation, resilience, career management and mental health and wellbeing.

We employ a diverse range of trade apprentices across Brisbane and within various industries, including:

Automotive

Council's automotive apprentices help maintain Council vehicles and work in a range of roles in the following fields:

  • auto electrical
  • auto manufacturing
  • heavy vehicle mechanical
  • signage and graphics.

These challenging and diverse roles help to reduce congestion and keep Brisbane moving by delivering Australia's most modern public and active transport. 

Types of automotive apprenticeships

Auto electrical

Council's apprentice auto electrician install, maintain and repair electrical wiring and computer-base equipment for Council buses. Tasks include:

  • testing, replacing, reconditioning and installing equipment including alternators, starter motors and batteries
  • repairing or replacing faulty ignitions, electrical wiring, fuses, lamps and switches with specialist tools and machines.
Auto manufacturing

Council's automotive manufacturing apprentices work on buses to:

  • manufacture framework sections in metal, fibreglass and other materials
  • design and fit mechanised equipment
  • use shaping, cutting and welding equipment 
  • design and carry out chassis alterations in consultation with engineers
  • alter assembly line vehicles to accommodate special requirements.
Heavy vehicle mechanics

Council's heavy vehicle mechanics apprentices:

  • service, repair, tune, maintain and test the mechanical components of buses, including engines, transmissions and suspension systems
  • diagnose and detect mechanical and electrical faults
  • repair and maintain hydraulic/pneumatic components
  • use welding, hand fitting or machining processes to replace or repair faulty parts.
Signage and graphics

Council's signage and graphics apprentices are involved in:

  • computer generation and printing of art and graphics
  • sign manufacture and installation
  • application of vinyl wraps to Council buses and vehicles.

Construction

Council's construction apprentices work in diverse roles in electrical, carpentry, painting and decorating and engineering fields to help build and maintain Council assets. These essential roles help improve the quality of life for Brisbane residents, while ensuring our city has the services and infrastructure to meet the needs of future generations. 

Types of construction apprenticeships

Carpentry

Council's apprentice carpenters are involved in cabinetmaking, joinery, concreting, tiling, building maintenance (including maintenance of heritage structures) and fence construction.

Electrical

Council has two areas that offer electrical apprenticeships:

  1. Trade services - construction, maintenance, testing and installation of Council's electrical assets including buildings, libraries, parks and gardens, and bikeway and footpath lighting.
  2. Traffic network - construction, maintenance, testing and communication of Council's traffic signalisation network and installation of street lighting, CCTV, fibre optics and electronic messaging.
Engineering (fabrication)

Council's engineering (fabrication) apprentices undertake repair of bridges, structures and equipment (backhoes, skid steers, trailers). This role can involve working at heights. Apprentices use skills such as welding, oxy and plasma cutting, pipe and steel sheet bending, guillotining, punching and drilling.

Painting and decorating

Council's painting and decorating apprentices enhance Council's assets by applying paint finishes and stains, colour matching and treating lead paint hazards.

Plumbing

Council's apprentice plumbers install and maintain plumbing fittings and other associated works including pumps, irrigation and solar water heating systems.

Horticulture

Council's horticultural apprentices help keep Brisbane clean and green by filling roles in arboriculture, parks and gardens, and sports turf management. These roles help protect our natural environment and make our city liveable and sustainable.

Types of horticultural apprenticeships

Arboriculture

Council's arboriculture apprentices are involved in:

  • felling and pruning trees (sometimes at heights using an elevated work platform)
  • tree climbing
  • street and park tree maintenance.
Parks and gardens

Council's parks and gardens apprentices gain experience in:

  • parks and gardens maintenance
  • planting
  • pruning
  • operation and maintenance of machinery
  • keeping public areas safe and clean.
Sports turf management

Council's sports turf management apprentices:

  • assist with green keeping and related projects
  • manage irrigation equipment
  • operate specialist equipment and machinery.

Benefits for Council apprentices

Council apprentices enjoy benefits including:

  • competitive salaries including penalty rates where applicable
  • a nine-day fortnight
  • uniforms and all tools provided
  • 100% of training costs paid for by Council
  • ongoing training and career development in their trade
  • dedicated apprentice support person and mentor
  • opportunity to participate in the annual Lord Mayor's Apprentice of the Year Awards
  • work based in Brisbane.

Hear from our apprentices

You can also watch this video on Council's YouTube channel.

Eligibility information

You must be:

  • 15 years of age or over
  • an Australian or New Zealand citizen
  • a person with a permanent residency visa, a temporary protection visa or a temporary residency visa (if applicable).

Council is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. The following groups are encouraged to apply for apprenticeships:

  • young people
  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background
  • people with a disability or impairment
  • LGBTIQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/gender diverse, intersex, queer).

How to apply

Council's bulk intake for apprenticeships is usually advertised in September each year. 

View our current vacancies and employment program opportunities on Council’s careers page and stay connected by joining our talent community.

Application requirements

When submitting an apprenticeship application, include:

  • you current resume
  • a cover letter that addresses:
    • why you are interested in an apprenticeship with Council and how your suited to it
    • education, particularly subjects related to you chosen trade field studied at school or vocational education institution
    • transferrable skills you've developed through work experience, or school/vocational/community/sports projects you've been involved with.

More information

For more information about apprenticeships at Council:

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Brisbane City Council acknowledges this Country and its Traditional Custodians. We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the dreaming; those here today; those of tomorrow.