Queensland’s newest electricity industry professionals are starting to learn the ropes at depots across the state.
This week, 25 new recruits have begun their field training with Ergon Energy and Energex as apprentice electrotechnology electricians and distribution linespeople, including eight in regional Queensland and 17 in the South East.
They’re part of a smaller regular mid-year recruitment, which complements the main annual intake each January/February.
The new starters earned their roles through an extremely competitive process, which attracted thousands of applicants.
Related article: Stop blackouts at the border: Nationals MP suggests cutting Qld from the NEM
The recent recruitment campaign for 95 apprentices to start with Ergon and Energex in early 2020 drew a similar response, with thousands of applications currently being assessed and shortlisted.
GM operational services Jeff Green said a robust talent pipeline was critical to the continued delivery of a safe and reliable electricity supply.
“We go to a lot of effort to find Queensland’s best and brightest apprentices, and then we invest strongly in them to ensure we have an ongoing pool of highly-skilled people to build and maintain the substations and networks that keep our communities up and running,” he said.
Related article: Doors open for new Ergon, Energex apprentices
“Electricity technology and community expectations have changed dramatically since I was an apprentice, and the apprentices who come through now are really at the forefront of this ongoing evolution. They’re an outstanding cohort of talent.”
The latest recruits have now been deployed to Ergon depots at Home Hill, Mackay, Cairns, Gladstone, Toowoomba, Townsville and Bundaberg, as well as Energex’s Raceview, Kelvin Grove, Greenslopes, Berrinba, Maroochydore, Landsborough, Geebung and Southport depots.
