At Friday's delivery of Lismore City Council's new garbage truck, the conversation moved to apprenticeships and the state government's $252 million Fresh Start Program.

Mayor Steve Krieg said that the council has applied for 60 traineeships and apprenticeships and to date has filled only 13 over two intakes.

"There's a third round that we're looking to fill, and we've got a real focus on that outdoor and trade. We do have a couple of trainees in the finance sector as well, but our real focus at a council level, is our outdoor workforce and our trades area. This is another USU initiative through the state government to fund this, so it's something, that as Lismore City Council, we hope this funding continues, because we want to grow our outdoor workforce and become that self-sufficient council that we don't have to outsource anything. We want the mechanics, we want the electricians, we want the plumbers, all in-house to look after ourselves.

Mayor Krieg said the problem for Lismore Council lies within recruitment. They simply cannot find enough young people in the LGA who want to take up the traineeship/apprenticeship positions.

"At 13, I think we've still got two positions available. We have taken a step back and we're trying to fill positions as needed, but as this funding continues, we're hoping to grow and expand that workforce.

"Council is a great career path. It really is. And I'm only new to this, four years in, but you can see the progression. If you have the drive to move up, or if you love what you do, the opportunity is there to make this a vocation and a profession for the rest of your working life."

Council's Acting Chief Operating and Financial Officer, Matt Potter, is a great example of forging a career starting as an apprentice.

"I am the apprentice that started in the 1990s, and I have worked through to be a director, as of last night," Mr Potter said. Looking to his left, he then said to two avid garbage truck followers, "We need to talk guys."

The two guys Mr Potter was referring to were Luca Siefken, 17, and Ryder Hollingsworth, 14.

Both young men are obsessed with garbage trucks. and would gladly take up an apprenticeship with Lismore City Council.

"I can't get a truck license just yet. I think in about three years, I can get a heavy rigid, which is the license needed to drive these trucks," Luca explained. "It's always been my dream job, and I would love to work as a garbo one day.

"Back in 2022, my dad and I bought a second-hand truck, which is, in fact, a Bucher truck. It's a 2007 model; unfortunately, it's got lots of rust on it. I guess it just sort of proves how much I really do love garbage."

Ryder was born in Lismore, who is as obsessed as his friend Luca. He knows current drivers and former drivers by name, and would love an apprenticeship in the future.

"I'd love to, as long as I'm with the truck and working as a garbo or Bucher, I'd be really happy."

Luca and Ryder then hopped into the new Volvo garbage truck and began operating the bin pickup system after a quick lesson.

For those finishing Year 10 or about to graduate Year 12, Lismore City Council has the Employment Acceleration Pathways (LEAP) program, which offers a range of apprenticeships, traineeships (including school-based) and cadetships across Council, which are a great way to LEAP into a career at Council, with combined formal learning and on-the-job experience.

Council says to "Keep an eye out on our current vacancies page and register to our job alerts to stay up to date with any opportunities that open." You can do that by clicking here.