Network operator Transgrid has established a formal partnership with the University of Newcastle to create education, training and employment opportunities for students and support future energy projects in the Hunter.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed at the University’s Callaghan Campus as Transgrid officially opened its new Transmission Testing and Commissioning Lab at its Newcastle depot which will be a key facility for student training and career development.
Transgrid and the University of Newcastle will develop opportunities for electrical engineering students including cadetships, scholarships, research, and employment as Australia transitions to a clean energy future.
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Transgrid executive general manager of delivery Craig Stallan said the partnership is an important part of investing in the region.
“We are building the transmission super-highway with nation-critical infrastructure needed to achieve a clean, green energy future and these major projects require a skilled workforce,” Stallan said.
“Transgrid is also keeping the lights on during the renewable energy transition by delivering reliable and affordable electricity to millions of customers via our existing 13,000km high-voltage network.
“For decades the Hunter has been at the heart of our energy industry and this partnership will build upon that rich history by supporting the education, training and career development of the skilled energy workforce of tomorrow.
“Over the next five to 10 years, Transgrid’s projects will require hundreds of skilled workers including electrical design engineers, commissioning engineers, civil engineers and asset engineers.”
The MoU includes:
- Investigating sponsorship, scholarship, cadetship, and graduate opportunities for students, including those from diverse and Indigenous backgrounds
- Training and career pathways for electrical engineering students at Transgrid’s Newcastle Transmission Testing and Commissioning Lab
- Investigating other educational programs relevant to the transmission and renewables industry including research projects, student placement opportunities and courses
- Sharing information on the pipeline of graduates in electrical engineering and working collaboratively on local training and employment opportunities in the electricity industry
- Investigating opportunities to jointly upskill people from the mining and power generation industries to transition to the transmission industry.
University of Newcastle vice chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO explained the importance of these local industry partnerships for students.
“There is a place for every student at our university and we are committed to providing our students with an outstanding education that makes them highly employable graduates,” he said.
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“Data from the Australian Skills Commission report in 2021 found 75% of employers look for experience before considering an applicant, while 40% of roles are given to someone known to the employer, so we see gaining workplace experience as critical to creating highly skilled graduates with strong industry connections.
“We are fortunate to have a strong network of supportive organisations and businesses, like Transgrid, that are passionate about providing our students with opportunities for real-world experience and from this year every undergraduate student at our University will undertake practical placement as part of their degrees.
“Planning with Transgrid has already started to create a pathway for students to gain firsthand experience designing and operating electricity supply—a clear example of how this partnership will benefit students and industry.”
