The Queensland Government has unveiled a new initiative to open up career pathways in the state’s energy industry with an electrical cadetship program. This program will be available at 55 rural and remote depots across Queensland’s SuperGrid, providing young people with valuable on-the-job experience and formal training.
Bridging the gap for regional youth
The program is designed to align young people living in regional and remote Queensland with career opportunities in the state’s energy sector. By offering a Certificate II in Electrotechnology and a General Safety Induction course (White Card), the cadetship aims to equip participants with essential skills and knowledge. Following a successful pilot in southwest Queensland, the program will expand in 2025, reaching as far north as Cooktown and as far west as Mt Isa.
Ergon Energy Network and Energex, in collaboration with TAFE Queensland, will spearhead the 2025 Pre-apprenticeship Program. Students will benefit from weekly online workshops, on-campus practical days, and real-world experience at up to 55 depots involved in the program. This comprehensive approach ensures that cadets gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Comprehensive training for future professionals
Cadets will receive training in:
- Work, health, and safety requirements: Contextualised to the electrical industry, ensuring that participants are well-versed in essential safety practices.
- Primary technical skills: Covering electricity distribution, retail, and energy services, including the use of various power tools, materials, and interpreting site plans and specifications.
- Real-world experience: Gaining practical insights at Ergon Energy Network and Energex depots throughout regional and remote Queensland.
- Enterprise skills: Through activities like Toolbox Talks and providing formal project handovers to incoming groups at the end of rostered shifts.
Ongoing Government support
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Queensland Government to prepare the next generation for the state’s expanding clean energy sector. Minister for Training and Skills Development, Lance McCallum, emphasised the importance of this program, stating, “With our Big Build of Queensland’s SuperGrid in full swing, now is the golden opportunity for our high school students to get the skills they need to secure good, highly paid jobs in our clean energy future.”
Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, Mick de Brenni, highlighted the government’s commitment to providing opportunities for young people, regardless of where they live. He said, “From Cooktown to Cunnamulla, Millmerran to Mareeba, and Bowen to Biloela, the Queensland Government is committed to offering opportunities for young people to engage in Queensland’s clean energy future.”
This cadetship program is a key component of Queensland’s strategy to build a skilled workforce for its future energy needs. It complements broader initiatives like the new Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Training Facility and the Advanced Manufacturing Skills Lab in North Queensland. These facilities aim to prepare locals for in-demand blue-collar careers and support the state’s transition to renewable energy.
