Fresh talent for WA energy industry

WA’s energy industry has received a new influx of talent, with 15 university and business traineeship students and apprentices having graduated at Western Power in early December. All have found jobs within the business.

The cohort includes university graduates completing their three-year program of rotations in the energy sector; business trainees completing their one-year program; and graduate apprentices who have completed four years’ worth of on-the-job experience.

Energy Minister Bill Johnston said that vocational education and training played a vital role in supporting the community and boosting WA’s economic growth.

“The Cook government is committed to supporting education and training and recognises the value of apprenticeships across all industries,” he said.

“It’s excellent to see an increasing number of women taking up the opportunity to become apprentices, and I commend the great work Western Power has done to ensure a pipeline of talented employees.”

Western Power’s nationally accredited apprenticeship program, which currently includes 117 apprentices, teaches specialised skills across four streams: electrical, overhead linework, cable jointing and heavy mechanical.

Training of apprentices requires a partnership between the apprentice, depot teams and the registered training organisations to deliver certification training.

Successful candidates for Western Power’s 2024 intake of apprentices and trainees will be notified in December 2023 and start their skills development pathway in January 2024.

Image credit: iStock.com/chameleonseye