Energex apprentices switch to a bright future

Published Tuesday, 04 February, 2020 at 01:44 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy
The Honourable Dr Anthony Lynham

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development
The Honourable Shannon Fentiman

More than 16,500 young Queenslanders are gaining the skills and training they need for a successful career thanks to the Palaszczuk Government’s free apprenticeships and free tafe initiatives.

Minister for Energy and Mining Dr Anthony Lynham met with local Energex electrical apprentices at EsiTrain In Rocklea today.

“An apprenticeship with 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 great career,” Dr Lynham said.

“As each apprentice learns the skills of their chosen trade, they will be responsible for helping to ensure the people of Queensland continue to enjoy a world-class, safe and reliable electricity supply.

“In times of disaster, such as the recent bushfires that have affected our state, it is these crews who work tirelessly around the clock to bring power back to our homes and help communities begin their road to recovery.”

Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman congratulated and welcomed this year’s first intake of new apprentices who have started their training at Energex’s Rocklea training centre this year.

“We need more young Queenslanders to take up an apprenticeship so we can make sure we have the skilled workers we need for the jobs now and into the future,” Ms Fentiman said.

“We know nine out of 10 jobs predicted to grow will require a vocational education and training (VET) qualification.

“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government is investing in skills and training for Queenslanders with our free tafe and free apprenticeships initiatives.”

“Already we are supporting more than 16,500 young Queenslanders to gain a valuable qualification for free through these initiatives.

“This includes more than 2,600 electrical apprentices which is, by far, our most popular qualification so far, followed by carpentry and mechanical.”

“We are training Queenslanders for more jobs in more industries.”

“Once the apprentices have completed their initial training, they will work throughout the Energex network in South East Queensland that stretches from Coolangatta to Gympie and west to the Great Dividing Range.

“They will help keep the lights on for 1.4 million customers in South East Queensland by maintaining more than 50,000 kilometers of power lines and more than 380,000 public lights.”

The new apprentices will train as communications technicians, distribution linespersons, transmission linespersons, mechanical fitters, electricians and underground cable jointers.

Ergon Energy and Energex recruit for apprentices every year and have welcomed 102 new apprentices in this year’s first intake, with 28 of them undergoing their training at EsiTrain in Rocklea.

All nominations for Energex and Ergon technical training are now managed through the new EsiTrain website at www.esitrain.com.au

For more information on free tafe and free apprenticeships visit: www.desbt.qld.gov.au/freeapprenticeships 

ENDS

Media Contact:          Michael Saunders                   0428 411 617 (Minister Lynham)

                                    Inga Williams                          0439 949 719 (Minister Fentiman)