Electricity industry career shines bright for Fraser Coast crew

Four Fraser Coast locals have joined Queensland’s next generation of energy professionals as 2018 Ergon Energy apprentices.

Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders commended the six Ergon Energy apprentices, two  from Maryborough and two from Hervey Bay, on their career choice and commitment to the community.

“Today they are being inducted as apprentices with one of the state’s publicly-owned electricity businesses and I wish them all the best in their future careers serving our region,” he said.

“They have signed up for a role that will be challenging and far from routine, but it will also be very rewarding.

“When nature lets fly, as it can in Queensland, our communities rely on the Ergon crews to restore all-important power supply to homes and businesses.

“A trades apprenticeship is an excellent foundation in understanding the electricity industry, and some of Ergon’s executives and senior managers started their careers as apprentices.”

Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham was in Townsville today to welcome the 22 apprentices doing their initial training in Townsville.

“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,” he said.

“It’s the job of Ergon crews to keep the lights on and they often work in atrocious conditions to restore power after storms and cyclones.”

The 76 Ergon apprentices, which include a record 14 women, take the total apprentice cohort across the state’s publicly-owned electricity businesses to 110.

Energex has hired 23 new apprentices in the south-east corner, CS Energy will welcome two mechanical apprentices next month at Kogan Creek Power Station near Chinchilla and Stanwell Corp has nine new apprentices across its operations at Stanwell Power Station near Rockhampton and Tarong power stations in the South Burnett region.

Energy Queensland Chief Executive David Smales said the 2018 intake continued Ergon’s commitment to training the workforce of tomorrow.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

The new apprentices will train as a communications technician, distribution linesperson, transmission linesperson, mechanical trade (diesel fitting) or electrician.

Once all the recruits have completed their initial training, the apprentices will return to their home depots.

[ENDS]

Media inquiries:

Member for Maryborough - 4114 1100

Dr Lynham - Jan Martin 0439 341 314

Ergon - Rod Rehbein   t 4153 9813  m   0407 031 072