Pathways

Structured on‑the‑job learning for new and emerging workers across a range of fields, supported by external training providers. Upon completion of the traineeship, participants will attain a nationally recognised qualification aligned to their job role. Areas have included irrigation technology and Local Government including the development of new entrant Rangers to the City. 

Hands‑on skills development in trades‑based roles, giving apprentices practical experience supported by supervisors and formal training. This combination of real‑world learning and structured training builds strong technical capability and supports long‑term workforce development across operational areas. Currently the City is supporting apprentices in parks and gardens with the view to expand opportunities based on workforce demands. 

Paid opportunities for university students to complete practical placements while contributing to meaningful City projects. The City currently offers undergraduate placements in Civil Engineering, providing hands‑on experience alongside experienced professionals. This aligns students’ real life practical work linked to their formal university studies in paid employment. 

Short‑term opportunities for students to gain workplace experience and explore careers in local government. The City partners with the McCusker Centre for Citizenship at UWA to offer internship placements. Additional internships are also offered based on business needs with other universities with the City looking at broadening their partnering arrangements. The City has hosted interns in areas such as People and Culture, Legal and Governance Services and Property Services. 

The City of Wanneroo provides Educational Institutions with the opportunity to apply for vocational work experience placements for students over 18 years of age and for whom it is a mandatory requirement of their nationally recognised accredited course.  

Please note: no third-party applications will be accepted.  

The City will provide preference to students who reside in the City of Wanneroo. 

Terms of application and placement

• No third-party applications will be accepted. All placements are subject to the City of Wanneroo’s Vocational Work Experience Management Procedure.  
• Only registered training organisations, TAFE and university students will be accepted for placement. 
• All students must be at least 18 years of age.  
• Applicants/educational institutions are required to provide all relevant insurance documentation relating to mandatory personal accident and public liability insurance to cover a student undertaking vocational work experience at the City of Wanneroo.  
• Applicants/educational institutions requesting operational or field placements will be required to provide the student with suitable PPE as requested by the City of Wanneroo.  
• Evidence of current safety licenses and/or safety documentation under the City of Wanneroo’s Safety Management Procedures must be included in all applications.  
• A Working with Children Check is required for any placement which involves contact with children (anyone under 18 years of age). This applies but is not limited to placements in Library Services and Community Development.  
• Students need to have a supervisor/coordinator or similar available from the Educational Institute for the City staff to contact.  
• The educational institution retains responsibility for the student throughout the placement.  
• The educational institution is required to provide, monitor and assess a suitable workplace learning program schedule. 
• Applications for placements must be received at least six weeks prior to placement date. A vocational work experience placement cannot exceed three months. Students shall not attend placement between the hours of 5pm and 6am nor for a period longer than the standard working day. 
• Availability of placements are dependent on resources available at the time of the application. This includes adequate and safe supervision. 
• Vocational work experience positions are unpaid.  
• The City retains the right to terminate the placement arrangement at any time and/or for any reason. Any work experience placement that has not been approved through this process will be terminated.   
• Where students have accessibility requirements or additional needs please provide detail in the additional information section of the application form.

How to apply

1. Please review the Terms of Application and Placement before applying for a vocational work experience placement. 
2. Once reviewed, complete the:
   Vocational Work Experience online form

Please upload the following documents:

• Insurance documentation.
• Any safety documentation/certification (if applicable).
• Working with Children Check (if applicable).
• Vocational work experience outcomes and program schedule.
• Cover letter summarising your application and outlining why you want to complete work experience at the City of Wanneroo.

Support for employees to grow their skills through qualifications and professional experience aligned to business needs. These upskilling opportunities are directly linked to employees’ roles and typically draw on the apprenticeship and traineeship system, guided by state and federal priority qualification lists. The focus is on building capability in areas that strengthen both individual career pathways and the City’s future workforce. Areas of upskilling have included civil construction, horticulture plus sport, aquatics and recreation.