Regional recruits begin powerful careers

POWERCOR and CitiPower’s 37 new apprentices and trainees have begun their training to help maintain safe and reliable power for Victorians.

The recruits were selected from more than 1200 applicants and will be based across a range of locations including Bendigo, Ballarat, Mildura, Kyneton, Echuca, Shepparton, Maryborough, Warrnambool, Colac, Horsham, Geelong, Brooklyn, Burnley, and Melbourne’s CBD.

The group includes six women in what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, and the apprentices range in age from 18 to 44.

Head of operations and delivery, Barry David, said the annual intake is the only chance to directly join a Victorian electricity network as part of an in-house field team.

“It’s already been a big summer for our field teams and these new recruits are joining an energetic team dedicated to keeping the lights on for our communities,” he said.

“Our apprenticeship program is about building the next generation of our workforce – people who play an essential role in providing safe and reliable power to homes and businesses.”

Recruits will work in a range of roles such as overhead line workers, electrical fitters, underground cable joiners, designer trainees and asset inspector trainees.

A mentor will support each recruit.

“We’ve selected people with a positive attitude, who are community and customer minded, put safety first and who are eager to learn,” Mr David said.