New apprentices join WA energy sector

Western Power has welcomed 33 apprentices, trainees and recent university graduates to its workforce, as part of a WA Government plan to provide training and employment opportunities throughout the state.

“Apprentices are critical not only to our state’s economy but to our changing energy sector, and I want to congratulate everyone who has been trained at and has now gained employment with Western Power,” said Energy Minister Reece Whitby.

“Coupled with our promise to keep Western Power in public hands, we will always ensure Western Australians have continued access to these sorts of training and employment opportunities.”

The new recruits recently graduated from Western Power’s nationally accredited program. They include apprentices who have gained vocational experience, skills and knowledge over four-year placements; school-based trainees who have completed a Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology; and university graduates who have completed three-year rotation programs embedded in on-the-ground energy sector experiences.

Also joining the cohort are business trainees who have completed one-year programs and who will provide business support.

At the graduation ceremony, Ethan Edwards and Sagar Kumar were jointly named Western Power’s apprentice of the year. They respectively hold qualifications as heavy mechanical and distribution line worker apprentices.

The Western Power training program, delivered in assistance with registered training organisations, teaches specialised electrical, overhead linework, cable jointing, and heavy mechanical skills and expertise, all of which are required for WA’s energy sector.

“There’s no doubt the skills these Western Power trainees and apprentices are learning will put them in the box seat to take advantage of the huge amount of work available both now and in the future,” said Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk.

“Our government is working hard to develop a pipeline of workers needed for the clean energy transition — with more than 11 thousand building, construction and electrical apprentices in training across WA right now.”

McGurk thanked Western Power for investing in training and congratulated the apprentices and trainees on what she hoped would be the start of long and rewarding careers.

“There has never been a better time to get into training,” she said.

Apprentices and trainees for next year's intake are currently being recruited, with successful candidates to be notified in December and begin training in January 2025.

Image credit: iStock.com/Thurtell