Academy Trainee (Ballarat)

Cleanaway; Ballarat; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid training

Mentoring and support

Career progression opportunities

Safety culture

Job summary

Cleanaway's Women’s Driver Academy in Ballarat on Wadawurrung Country invites women and non-binary people to start a long-term career as professional drivers with paid training and mentoring.

Based at the Ballarat Branch, you’ll learn to operate rear lift collection vehicles for CDS, with five weeks of training, then casual driving opportunities after competency sign-off. Starts at 5:30am, Monday to Friday, with weekend work as required.

Qualifications

• You don't need previous truck driving experience.
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn
• Strong safety awareness
• Reliability and commitment
• Good communication skills
• A strong work ethic
• Physical capability
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Genuine interest in building a long-term career

Responsibilities

• Learning to safely operate a rear lift collection vehicle
• Completing vehicle pre-start inspections and safety checks
• Collecting recyclable containers and materials
• Working outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Performing manual handling activities throughout the day
• Following safe work procedures and operational requirements
• Building confidence and capability through structured training and mentoring
• Supporting recycling and sustainability outcomes across local communities

Skills

Positive attitude

Safety awareness

Reliability

Communication

Work ethic

Physical capability

Teamwork

Career focus

Job description

Women’s Driver Academy – Ballarat onWadawurrung Country

Build a Career Behind the Wheel with Cleanaway

Applications Encouraged from Women and Non-Binary People

Have you ever thought about becoming a professional truck driver but weren't sure where to start?

Cleanaway's Women's Driver Academy is designed to create opportunities for women and non-binary people to build rewarding and long-term careers in transport, operations and resource recovery.

Whether you're looking for a career change, returning to the workforce, or ready to challenge yourself with something completely new, we'll provide the training, support and mentoring to help you succeed.

No previous truck driving experience is required.

About the Opportunity

Based at our Ballarat Branch on Wadawurrung Country, you'll join a supportive team and receive structured training designed to help you become a safe and professional driver.

Working alongside experienced operators and mentors, you'll learn how to safely operate rear lift collection vehicles supporting Cleanaway's Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) operations.

This is an opportunity to gain practical experience, develop new skills and build a long-term career with Australia's leading waste management and resource recovery company.

Location

• Ballarat, Victoria -Wadawurrung Country

Employment Type

• Full-Time during Driver Academy Training
• Casual employment following successful completion and competency sign-off

Positions Available

• Multiple Positions Available

Collections

• Container Deposit Scheme (CDS)

Vehicle Type

• Rear Lift Collection Vehicle

Start Time

• 5:30am starts

Roster

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend work required
• Availability required throughout the summer period

What You'll Be Doing

• Learning to safely operate a rear lift collection vehicle


• Completing vehicle pre-start inspections and safety checks


• Collecting recyclable containers and materials


• Working outdoors in varying weather conditions


• Performing manual handling activities throughout the day


• Following safe work procedures and operational requirements


• Building confidence and capability through structured training and mentoring


• Supporting recycling and sustainability outcomes across local communities

What We're Looking For

You don't need previous truck driving experience.

We're looking for people who demonstrate:

• A positive attitude and willingness to learn


• Strong safety awareness


• Reliability and commitment


• Good communication skills


• A strong work ethic


• Physical capability


• Ability to work independently and as part of a team


• Genuine interest in building a long-term career

Academy Commitment

The Driver Academy is a paid training and development program.

Successful applicants must be available to:

• Work full-time during the Driver Academy program


• Commit to approximately 5 weeks of training (or until signed off as competent)


• Work early morning starts


• Participate in weekend work when required


• Be available throughout the summer period

Following successful completion and operational sign-off, participants will transition into casual driving opportunities.

Why Join Cleanaway?

The Women's Driver Academy provides:

• Paid full-time training


• Mentoring and support from experienced operators


• Exposure to real operational work


• Career progression opportunities


• A strong safety culture


• Valuable industry experience


• Potential pathways into ongoing operational and collections roles

Pay & Benefits

• Full-Time employment during training


• Casual employment after successful sign-off


• $41.34 per hour


• Overtime opportunities


• Penalty rates where applicable


• Ongoing training and development


• Career progression opportunities across Cleanaway

A Workplace Where You Belong

We strongly encourage applications from:

• Women


• Non-binary people


• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples


• Career changers


• People returning to the workforce


• People from diverse cultural backgrounds

This recruitment activity may constitute a special measure under applicable anti-discrimination and equal opportunity legislation and is intended to increase participation in an industry where women remain underrepresented.

All applicants will be assessed on merit and their ability to perform the inherent requirements of the role.