Ryan Park
Minister for Health
Minister for Regional Health
Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast

Steve Whan
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 20 August 2024

The Minns Labor Government is creating another 440 apprentice and trainee positions across 67 government agencies and state-owned corporations over the next 12 months, as it continues the rollout of the three-year, $93.5 million election commitment to rebuild the skilled workforce across the state, including in over 200 in regional communities.

Coinciding with National Skills Week (19-25 August), the 440 new jobs emphasises the importance of skills development and vocational training in shaping the state's workforce.

The program cements the government as a leader in the employment of apprentices and trainees, and build skills capacity within the public sector, by employing 1000 apprentices and trainees over three years, learning the skills to work in vital sectors such as Information Technology, Health and Electricity Distribution.

With broad skills shortages across the state, apprenticeships and traineeships provide a unique mix of paid on-the-job training with formal study that makes them vital additions to the future NSW workforce. In its first year, the program successfully employed 221 apprentices and trainees across 31 agencies, including Sydney Trains, Essential Energy, NSW Department of Education and NSW Health Pathology. 

At Royal North Shore Hospital Health Pathology, two trainees supported by the program are already making a significant impact, including Jaime Reyes, who is part of the collections team. 

Mr Reyes in living with a disability that has presented challenges to gaining full-time work and this program has provided him with valuable career opportunities.

A further 340 positions will be available in the final round of the program in the 2025-26 financial year.

To learn more about the program and apply for a position, please visit The 1,000 NSW Public Sector Apprentices and Trainees Program.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park said:

"This Government is committed to providing people with valuable training and career opportunities within the public sector.

"This next round of apprentice and trainee roles will see more than 100 people enter the NSW Pathology workforce across the state.

"NSW Pathology is an incredible place to work, with plenty of rewarding challenges and opportunities and I really welcome this program."

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:

"This announcement, coinciding with National Skills Week, underscores the vital roles that skills development and vocational training paly in shaping our future workforce.

"Last year's investment has facilitated the creation of hundreds of roles across 31 agencies, including key players like NSW Health Pathology.

"Through the 1000 Apprentices and Trainees Program we are building skills capacity across out government and offering opportunities for young people like Jaime to gain formal qualifications.

"This is just another example of how the Minns Labor Government is directly tackling the skills shortage by investing in and training the next generation of workers."

NSW Health Pathology trainee, Jaime Reyes said:

"Prior to working at Royal North Shore Hospital as a trainee, my only knowledge of what blood collectors did was that they collected blood for my local GP. I am now learning there is a lot more to the job, and it is about working with people and making sure they feel comfortable.

"To be able to build relationships where people can see me as someone who is empathetic and help them through getting their blood collection done, this was someone that I want to be."