Dozens of new apprentices, trainees and graduates joined Essential Energy last month as part of the electricity distributor’s ongoing investment into the future of the business, bringing the total number of apprentices in the business to 152.

Among them are Earl Greenaway and Kobi Thurston, who will be based at the Coonamble depot where they will undertake on-the-job training as well as travelling every three weeks to Orange for the next six months to complete their qualifications to become linesmen.

Luke Jenner, General Manager Customer & Network Services, said the new apprentice intake includes 26 Powerline Workers and three Zone Substation Electrical Technicians.

“These new recruits will undertake a four-year program, combining formal training with on-the-job experience, covering all aspects of operating a modern electricity network,” Luke said.

Eight Asset Inspection trainees are also commencing a 12-month training program with the business.

“This will be the third year for the program, with all trainees from last year’s program successfully moving into permanent Asset Inspection roles this year,” Luke said.

In addition, Essential Energy’s Indigenous Pre-Employment Program has also recruited five Field Operations Trainees that will start at the same time as the apprentices.

“This program continues to provide a career pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women into the business and is one that I am really proud of, with two Trainees from this year’s program transitioning to Apprenticeships in 2021.”

Three engineering and one information technology graduates have also been recruited.

The 42 new apprentices and trainees will be based in 33 different locations across the network footprint: Albury, Barraba, Bathurst, Bourke, Braidwood, Broken Hill, Buronga, Canowindra, Coffs Harbour, Condobolin, Coonamble, Corowa, Cowra, Dorrigo, Dubbo, Ewingsdale, Goondiwindi, Goulburn, Grafton, Griffith, Guyra, Kempsey, Kyogle, Moruya, Mudgee, Murwillumbah, Narrabri, Nyngan, Orange, Queanbeyan, Tamworth, Tumut, and Wagga Wagga.

The new apprentices, trainees and graduates come from a diverse range of backgrounds, with almost 50 per cent of the new Apprentices and Trainees identifying with at least one diversity group, including 11 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and eight females.

“I’m thrilled to welcome these new colleagues to Essential Energy and wish them all the best in their new roles this year,” Luke said.