Ergon Energy and Energex will have a strong focus on diversity when they recruit the next generation of power industry field and substation crews through an apprenticeship recruitment campaign that begins this week.
Energy Minister Mark Bailey said the program was evidence of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to creating jobs across the state, with 94 positions being offered at 35 locations from Mossman to Southport and from Normanton to Quilpie.
“These positions are expected to be among the most keenly sought apprenticeships in Queensland,” he said.
Speaking from Mackay today, Mr Bailey said the intake would include five apprentices in the city, and one in nearby Sarina.
He said Ergon and Energex had made good progress to have almost 10 per cent of women among their 463 apprentices in traditionally male-dominated professions and aimed to offer a record number of apprenticeships to female applicants for next year’s intake.
“The network businesses have a strong focus on diversity and being representative of the communities they serve,” Mr Bailey said.
“As well as seeking to increase the proportion of women, Ergon will reserve a number of positions for candidates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent.
“The successful applicants each year include a mix of school-leavers and mature-age candidates, so people of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to apply for this great opportunity to learn a valuable trade.
Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said most apprenticeships were being offered to local people so they could develop their skills while remaining in the community with their family and friends.
“This is great news for the apprentices, who won’t need to move away to find work,” she said.
“The apprenticeships are available in a range of trades – communications technician, distribution linesperson, transmission linesperson, mechanical trade (diesel fitting) and electrician.”
Member for Mirani Jim Pearce said this year marked the first occasion Ergon and Energex were jointly recruiting apprentices following their merger as part of the Energy Queensland group.
“The majority of apprentices for this intake will be based at Ergon’s depots in regional and rural areas of Queensland because Energex also conducts a mid-year intake for its South-East Queensland depots,” he said.
Apprenticeships are also available in: Atherton, Barcaldine, Biggenden, Cairns, Charters Towers, Childers, Chinchilla, Dalby, Emerald, Geebung, Gladstone, Greenslopes, Hervey Bay, Home Hill, Ingham, Kelvin Grove, Kingaroy, Mackay, Mareeba, Maryborough, Miriam Vale, Monto, Mossman, Mount Isa, Normanton, Quilpie, Raceview, Rockhampton, Sarina, Southport, St George, Toowoomba, Townsville, Warwick and Yarraman.
For more information or to apply, visit the Ergon or Energex websites. Applications close on October 9.
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