Nor did he anticipate a return to Wollongong and a meteoric rise up the council’s command chain to land the city’s top planning job four years ago.

Mr Carfield began his career in 1994 as a cadet town planner under the council’s annual cadetship program, which has been running for more than 20 years.

Applications are now being sought for this year’s training program.

Mr Carfield yesterday encouraged recent school graduates to apply for the program, saying he credited the course with opening his eyes to the possibilities and opportunities within local government.

‘‘For a young person, Wollongong council is a great place to train,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s one of the largest councils in the state and there’s such a variety of issues you deal with on a daily basis.’’

The skills he learnt during his training also stood him in good stead during a three-year stint working in a post-September 11 New York.

Another Wollongong City Council cadet who has been enjoying career success is council infrastructure director Peter Kofod, who began as a civil engineering cadet in 1977, although not under the present process.

Mr Kofod yesterday admitted he had planned to leave local government work as soon as his five-year cadetship had ended.

‘‘I was adamant that I wouldn’t stay past my cadetship - I was definitely going into private industry,’’ he said of his initial plans.

‘‘But there was always a new challenge or opportunity that arose; it kept me interested, and here I am still.’’

Mr Kofod also praised the opportunities the cadet program offered to participants, saying: ‘‘It’s a really structured course that offers support and training all the way. I’d definitely recommend it.’’

Wollongong council will hold an information evening about the trainee program on August 21.

To book a place call 42277111.

JOBS ON OFFER

CADETSHIPS

Civil engineering (2)

Building surveyor

Community and cultural development planner

Supply chain

APPRENTICESHIPS

Horticulture (4) (one targeted for a person of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent)

TRAINEESHIPS

Labourer (targeted for person living with a disability)

Revenue

Information management

Aquatic services