Following the success of the pilot program in Darling Downs and South West Queensland, applications are now open for the 2025 Ergon Energy Network and Energex Pre-apprenticeship Program.
This year, the program has expanded statewide to include up to 55 depots in regional, rural, and remote locations, offering even more young people the chance to gain essential skills and knowledge for rewarding careers in their local communities.
Clare Parry from Clifton, who began her journey with the program at Warwick TAFE, shared her positive experience.
“It has been great learning about all the different aspects of the energy industry by travelling around the region and visiting both commercial and residential properties to complete work with meters and relays and respond to customer service requests,” she said.
The pre-apprenticeship program aims to provide participants with hands-on experience, industry knowledge, and the skills necessary to excel in the electrical trade.
Successful applicants will work alongside experienced professionals, gaining invaluable insights and practical skills that will distinguish them when applying for electrotechnology or energy sector apprenticeships.
Cadets in the program will learn:
Essential work, health, and safety requirements contextualised to the electrical industry.
Primary technical skills for the electricity distribution, retail, and energy services sector, including the use of multiple power tools and materials, and reading and interpreting site plans and specifications.
Real-world site experience at Ergon Energy Network and Energex depots throughout regional and remote Queensland.
Enterprise skills by completing Toolbox Talks and providing a formal project handover to the next incoming group at the end of their rostered shift.
TAFE Queensland CEO, John Tucker, emphasised the value of partnering with Ergon Energy Network and Energex to ensure cadets are equipped with industry-aligned skills.
“Each year, we work closely with local industry to ensure our training programs are tailored to their needs and that our students graduate confident, capable, and ready to help drive the success of their industry and communities,” he said.
Minister for Training and Skills Development, Lance McCallum, highlighted the program’s relevance amidst Queensland’s SuperGrid development.
“With the Big Build of Queensland’s SuperGrid in full swing, now is the golden opportunity for high school students to get the skills they need to secure highly paid jobs in our clean energy future,” Mr McCallum said.
“Queensland’s SuperGrid Superheroes are an army of qualified tradespeople working on everything from residential and commercial solar to large-scale renewable energy generation, transmission and distribution, battery, and pumped hydro storage.”
Ergon Energy Network and Energex, part of the Energy Queensland group, have depots throughout regional and remote Queensland. Depots for on-the-job training under this cadetship include locations such as Quilpie, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Roma, St George, Dalby, Tara, Chinchilla, Wandoan, Millmerran, Warwick, Stanthorpe, Gatton, Esk, Boonah, and Beaudesert.
Applications for the Ergon Energy Network and Energex Pre-apprenticeship Program are open until Friday, 30 August 2024.
