Early career opportunities
Looking to kick start your career?
Through key industry and tertiary partnerships, we offer a number of programs for early-career development.
Whether you’re a trainee or apprentice, a recent university graduate or even PhD candidate, explore your options with us.
Traineeships
Our award-winning 12-month traineeship program has been running since 2016.
The program provides access to education and on-the-job training and support while working to achieve a nationally recognised qualification.
Traineeships are offered across a range of areas including water treatment, construction, technology operations, water quality, land management, administration and customer service with some roles within Barwon Water and some within 100 per cent Barwon Water-owned Barwon Asset Solutions.
We work closely with gforce employment + recruitment and Wan-Yaari Aboriginal Consultancy Services on the program with the common goal of creating employment opportunities in the region.
Graduate program
Our two-year graduate program is designed to provide graduates with an opportunity to perform multiple roles within the organisation through planned rotations.
Graduates grow their skills and experience in different aspects of the business, tackling real world problems. In return, we providing them with a structured leadership development program, and an opportunity to network in the water industry.
Graduates can expect:
- a challenge from day-one
- on-the-job learning and skills development
- formal training and professional development
- coaching and mentoring from experienced leaders
- job rotations for variety and continued challenges
- regular progress checks and evaluations.
Summer internships
Each year we offer a 10–12 week summer internship for undergraduate students who are innovative and creative, open to new experiences
The program provides a taste of what it’s like to work at Victoria’s largest regional urban water corporation. Students are given real business projects and challenges, along with support and training to apply concepts and theories to real-life problems.
There’s plenty of on-the-job training, skills development, support, and networking opportunities. Students are assigned a mentor and have access to senior management. And a summer internship at Barwon Water is an excellent inclusion on your résumé!
Are you looking for a career in the water industry?
Applications for the Summer Internship Program are now open.
We’re looking for students in their second last year of study who are passionate about developing their skills, taking hold of opportunities and meeting the needs of our customers. Discover some of our summer internship opportunities.
Scholarships and industry-based internships
We provide financial support and paid internships to tertiary students.
Recognising the importance of gender balance, the scholarship program encompasses diversity in applicants and disciplines increasing to two scholarships per year, with one allocation specifically for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Spotlight on PhD student Mariah Sampson
PhD candidate Mariah Sampson studies the biology and chemistry of temperate streams. Her research will provide important knowledge about how the health of our waterways can be managed and maintained. The significance of her work led to Barwon Water proudly sponsoring her PhD project.
In March 2002, Mariah was awarded the prestigious Nancy Millis Memorial Award by Water Research Australia.
The late Emeritus Professor Nancy Millis AC MBE was a microbiologist at the forefront of recognising the importance of clean water and led the development of techniques to treat industrial wastewater. Nancy is remembered for her early pioneering research in the days when there were few women in science.
