SAFETY ALERT! Flooding

68.64%

2026-10-30 17:00:00 DAM CAPACITY 68.64% 36.08M HEIGHT 501,145ML VOLUME


Flow into your future

Gladstone Area Water Board (GAWB) offers apprenticeship, traineeship and work experience opportunities across technical, environmental and operational fields.

These practical pathways help students, school leavers and other eligible applicants explore careers in the water industry and develop workplace skills in Central Queensland.

Opportunities vary according to GAWB’s workforce needs, operational capacity and recruitment approvals. Not every pathway is available every year.

Career pathways at GAWB

Electrical Instrumentation and Control Technician apprenticeships

GAWB is one of the few organisations in Central Queensland to offer this five-year apprenticeship, which combines formal training with practical workplace experience. 

GAWB maintains two staggered apprenticeship positions, with one apprentice generally commencing approximately every 2.5 years, subject to workforce planning and approval.

Web-GAWB-Pic_Lib_April_24-1087


Aquaculture school-based traineeships

Aquaculture Gladstone may offer school-based traineeships for eligible secondary school students. 

These traineeships generally involve working one to two days each week while continuing school studies, subject to school, training and workplace requirements. 

Aquaculture traineeships

Aquaculture Gladstone may offer approximately one traineeship each year, subject to operational capacity and recruitment approval. This traineeship generally takes two years full-time or four years part-time. 

Horticulture traineeship

Horticulture traineeships provide practical experience in maintaining and managing GAWB’s land and recreational assets. GAWB generally supports one horticulture trainee at a time. This traineeship generally takes two years full-time or four years part-time. 

Work experience opportunities

GAWB may offer work experience, particularly at Aquaculture Gladstone during school holidays. 

Work experience can help students:

  • Explore careers in water and aquaculture  
  • Gain practical workplace experience  
  • Understand workplace expectations  
  • Decide whether a future traineeship or apprenticeship may be right for them. 

Placements are subject to operational capacity, safety requirements and supervisor availability.

Screenshot 2026-07-29 112534

A possible pathway into aquaculture

Students interested in aquaculture may consider the following pathway: 

Work experience → school-based traineeship → traineeship 

Each stage is subject to availability, eligibility and selection. Completing work experience or a school-based traineeship does not guarantee a future traineeship or employment. 

Expressions of interest / applications

High school students

Homeschool students

Students interested in school-based opportunities should first speak with their parent or guardian, and then their school’s Careers Adviser or Guidance Counsellor. The school can then contact GAWB to discuss available pathways and eligibility requirements.

Homeschool students are welcome to express interest in GAWB opportunities by contacting GAWB directly to discuss available pathways, eligibility requirements and future opportunities. 

School leavers / older applicants

If you are no longer at school, please contact GAWB directly for information and to apply.  

Selection process

Where opportunities are available, GAWB assesses applications against the requirements of the role. 

Depending on the opportunity, the recruitment process may include: 

  • Eligibility checks 
  • Selection criteria 
  • Shortlisting 
  • Interviews 
  • Reference checks 

GAWB considers all applications received through the approved recruitment process. 

Important information for all applicants

Apprenticeships, traineeships and work experience are offered according to GAWB’s operational requirements and capacity. 

Participation in work experience, an apprenticeship or a traineeship does not guarantee another placement or permanent employment with GAWB or Aquaculture Gladstone. 

Want to know more?

Current vacancies are advertised on the careers page on the GAWB website, through our social media channels, and advertised directly with school career advisors and guidance counsellors.