Eager and aspiring potential town or urban planners are being offered the opportunity to work locally with Shoalhaven Council while being supported to complete their studies online.
Council will soon recruit for two cadet planners under a program first started by the organisation in the nineties, aimed at attracting and retaining skilled individuals in the high demand field.
“We are excited to once-again be recruiting for two new cadet planning positions as the benefits of ‘growing our own’ are undeniable,” said Mayor, Patricia White.
“This program strengthens our workforce by attracting passionate future planners early in their careers. Cadets also gain industry ready skills, and in return, from experience, Council benefits from committed, knowledgeable staff who often continue their careers with us long after graduation,” Cr White said.
Since 1993, the cadet planning program has seen many successful candidates complete their Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning via distance education at the University of New England, while gaining practical skills through working full time for Council.
Many of the cadets have gone on to be employed by Council as strategic or development planners and continue to work for Council.
Fallon Kassis completed her cadetship with Council in 2024 and now works as a strategic planner in the Policy Planning team. Ms Kassis said the program has been invaluable to her career.
“The program allowed me to feel confident about my future. I built industry skills while completing my degree and knew I would graduate with years of hands‑on experience behind me,” Ms Kassis said.
“Working alongside experienced planners was invaluable. They were always willing to explain concepts or give guidance, and it helped me connect what I was learning in my UNE coursework to actual planning outcomes,” she said.
“If you’re even slightly considering a career in urban or regional planning, this cadetship is genuinely the best way to start. You learn so much on the job and having that practical experience alongside your degree gives you a huge head start,” she said.
Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work alongside staff in Council’s strategic and development planning teams, to ensure they gain comprehensive experience and on the job mentoring to become well rounded planners.
The cadets will be supported by Council to complete their degrees in accordance with the Educational Assistance Policy.
Interested candidates will soon be invited to view the criteria and apply online via Council’s website.
