Minister welcomes new Fraser Coast Ergon apprentices

QUEENSLAND'S next generation of energy experts are getting their first taste of the electricity industry, including 10 Fraser Coast apprentices who will do their initial training in Maryborough.

Energy Minister Mark Bailey joined Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders to officially welcome the new apprentices and to congratulate them on their career choice.

“An apprenticeship with Ergon under Energy Queensland is more than a 9-to-5, Monday-to-Friday job – it’s a commitment to the community and the start of a career,” he said.

“As they learn the skills of their trades, they will be responsible for helping to ensure the people of regional and rural Queensland continue to enjoy a world-class, safe and reliable electricity supply.”

Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said it’s the job of Ergon crews to keep the lights on and they often work in tough conditions to restore power after storms and cyclones.

“The new apprentices will train as communications technicians, distribution linespersons, electrotechnology electricians and transmission linespersons,” he said.

“It’s vital that we continue to teach and pass on the front-line expertise and skills now and into the future to deliver a safe and reliable electricity supply to customers.

Mr Bailey said Ergon’s intake of 65 apprentices across regional Queensland this year continued the government-owned corporation’s commitment to training the workforce of tomorrow, bringing the total number of apprentices employed in the past 12 years to 1062.

“Most of our crews throughout the state began their careers in the industry as apprentices, just like this year’s intake, and the value and reliance the community places on their work soon becomes apparent to them – especially in times of natural disasters,” he said.

“The 65 outstanding recruits were selected from around 2400 applicants. They also represent Queensland's great diversity and include five Indigenous apprentices and six females breaking into the traditionally male-dominated roles.

“While the majority of new apprentices are school-leavers, about a third are aged 21 or older. The group also includes seven current employees who have successfully sought an apprenticeship to further their careers.

“Once they have completed their initial training in Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Maryborough or Toowoomba, the apprentices will return to their home depots in 29 locations, from Toowoomba to Cunnamulla, Cloncurry and Thursday Island.”

The 10 apprentices who will do their initial training in Maryborough will eventually be based:

This year’s intake of apprentices across regional Queensland will be based in the following depots (one apprentice unless otherwise stated): Atherton, Biloela, Blackall, Blackwater, Bowen, Bundaberg (5), Cairns (6), Chinchilla, Cloncurry, Cunnamulla, Emerald, Gayndah, Gin Gin, Gladstone (2), Hervey Bay, Home Hill (2), Hughenden, Kingaroy, Longreach, Mackay (4), Maryborough, Moura, Proserpine, Rockhampton (11), Tara, Thursday Island, Toowoomba (6), Townsville (8) and Yeppoon.

ENDS

Media contact:

Minister Bailey’s office – 0428 079 640

Ergon Energy - Rod Rehbein on (07) 4153 9813 or 0407 031 072