Downer T&I Cadet Program 2027 - Asphalt

PERSOL|Programmed; Canberra; On-site; AUD 12,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship from professionals

Paid placement

Full-time summer work

Structured rotations across teams

Job summary

Downer’s Transport & Infrastructure Cadet Program invites first- and second-year undergraduates to gain hands-on industry experience while completing their studies in ACT. The cadet placements begin with the Regional Asphalt team and rotate across multiple teams, offering paid work during summers and potential casual work during semesters.

Mentorship from seasoned professionals supports your growth, with opportunities nationwide.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled as a first or second year undergraduate student
• Permanent working rights in Australia required
• Current Australian Driver’s License required

Skills

Teamwork

Adaptability

Problem solving

Communication

Education

First/second year undergraduate student

Finance (Accounting)

Commerce

Occupational Health & Safety

Science

Tools

Driver’s license

Job description

Australian Capital Territory, ACT · Outdoors / nature, Always changing

Cadetship Permanent Full-time Starts next year

Downer is committed to developing the next generation of industry leaders. Our Transport & Infrastructure Cadet Program offers first and second year university students the opportunity to gain hands‑on industry experience while completing their studies.

We are looking for a motivated university student to join our 2027 Cadet Program, initially commencing their first placement with our Regional Asphalt team in the ACT . Through structured rotations across Downer's Transport & Infrastructure business, you'll gain practical experience, develop industry skills, and build a strong foundation for your future career.

Our cadet program offers:

Paid placement aligned to your degree

Structured rotations across multiple teams

Full‑time summer work, with optional casual work during semesters

Mentorship from experienced professionals

Opportunities across Australia

About the Cadet Program

Our Cadet Program is designed to give first and second year undergraduate students meaningful industry experience while completing their studies.

Over the course of the program, you'll gain exposure to different areas of Downer's Transport & Infrastructure business through a series of structured placements. These rotations are designed to broaden your understanding of the infrastructure industry, develop practical skills aligned to your field of study, and provide insight into the diverse career opportunities available within Downer.

The program typically runs for three years and includes a compulsory block of full‑time work during the summer university break, with opportunities for casual work throughout the academic year. Throughout the program, you'll gain hands‑on experience, work alongside experienced professionals, and contribute to live projects across the business.

Placements may include:

Onsite contracting projects with delivery crews

Project engineering and management

Contract and commercial management

Laboratory testing and innovation

Finance and business operations

When does the Program commence?

Our Cadet Induction is scheduled for Monday 30th November and Tuesday 1st December 2026, kicking off the first structured rotation. All successful candidates must be available for this mandatory Induction.

Program eligibility

You must be available on Monday 30th November and Tuesday 1st December 2026 for the Cadet Induction.

You must be available for full‑time work from the Induction days through to late February 2027 prior to the recommencement of university semester - note: you must be available for full‑time work for the same period each subsequent year of the Cadet Program (i.e. late November to late February).

You must have permanent working rights in Australia.

You must hold a current Australian Driver’s License.

You must be enrolled in your first or second year of an undergraduate degree, studying in discipline/s of:

Finance (Accounting)

Commerce

Occupational Health & Safety

Science

What we look for

Key competencies assessed through our recruitment process include:

Self awareness

Resilience and the ability to embrace change

Ability to learn and apply new learning quickly

Willingness to work within a team

Problem solving, you love to think outside the square!

How we hire

Applications for the Cadet Program will close on Friday 18th September 2026 .

Downer Group is an employer that acknowledges and embraces the importance of our people's diverse experiences, talents, and cultures. As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from everyone.

The honest preview

The good

• You are mentored by experienced tradespeople
• The employer states a commitment to inclusion

The hard parts

• Pre‑employment medical, drug and alcohol or police checks

We don’t have government occupation data for this role yet.