Qld Govt stresses importance of energy careers

A new intake of 12 Ergon Energy apprentices began training last week in Rockhampton, taking the total number of Ergon and Energex apprentices currently in training across Queensland to 500, according to Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick.

“There are few careers in Queensland as important to our state’s ongoing prosperity as an energy worker,” the Treasurer said.

“Ergon workers are who communities across Queensland turn to in times of storm and cyclone.

“The work they do to restore power in the most trying conditions is nothing short of remarkable, and a testament to their dedication and training.”

But what these apprentices can do for Queensland goes far beyond recovery from natural disasters, the Treasurer said.

“They are our frontline in our relentless journey to becoming a renewable energy superpower.”

Minister for Energy Mick De Brenni said the Palaszczuk government was determined to continue investment in skills, training and regional jobs.

“This state’s publicly owned energy companies already have a 9500-strong workforce — a workforce at the heart of economic activity and prosperity in this state,” he said.

“And because of the Palaszczuk government’s focus on jobs, skills and training, they are joined by an ever-growing number of apprentices.”

Stressing the importance of keeping Ergon and Energex publicly owned, the Minister cited the Royal Commission into the 2009 Black Sunday bushfires:

“We only have to look to Victoria to see the effects of privatisation where the Royal Commission into their devastating Black Saturday bushfires found that their private network hadn’t taken on a new apprentice in 10 years; and as a result a lack of skills and a lack of investment led to tragedy.”

The Treasurer said the Queensland Government was continuing to invest heavily in training to equip more Queenslanders with the skills they need for jobs in both emerging and traditional industries.

“In addition to our free TAFE and apprenticeship programs, we’ve committed $320 million over four years to continue the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, as well as an ongoing fund of $80 million a year beyond that to lock it in permanently,” he said.

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