• Up to 100 high school students are set to benefit from an electrical cadetship at 55 regional, rural, and remote Queensland Ergon Energy and Energex depots.
• Program has been specifically designed to align young people living in regional and remote Queensland with career pathways in State’s energy industry.
• Cadets gain on-the-job experience with formal training attaining a Certificate II in Electrotechnology and a General Safety Induction course (White Card).

High school students keen to switch on their future careers in the energy industry are invited to apply for a Miles Labor Government supported Cadetship on Queensland’s Super Grid.

Following a successful pilot across South West Queensland this year, Ergon Energy Network and Energex, in partnership with TAFE Queensland, are expanding the program across regional and remote Queensland in 2025, as far north as Cooktown and as far west as Mt Isa.

Through the Ergon Energy Network and Energex 2025 Pre-apprenticeship Program, students will learn from experienced TAFE Queensland trainers and Ergon Energy Network and Energex experts during weekly online workshops and on-campus practical days, complemented by real-world experience at up to 55 depots involved in next year’s program.

Cadets will learn:

• essential work, health and safety requirements contextualised to the electrical industry,
• primary technical skills for the electricity distribution, retail and energy services sector including, the use of multiple power tools and materials, reading and interpreting site plans and specifications,
• real-world site experience at Ergon Energy Network and Energex depots throughout regional and remote Queensland, and
• enterprise skills by completing Toolbox Talks and providing a formal project handover to the next incoming group at the end of rostered shift.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum:

“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 get a good secure, highly paid job in our clean energy future.

“Queensland’s SuperGrid Superheroes are an army of qualified tradespeople working on everything from residential and commercial solar to large scale renewable energy generation, transmission and distribution, battery, and pumped hydro storage.

“This cadetship is being offered by two of Queensland’s proudest publicly owned institutions, the very organisations in the firing line of David Crisafulli and the LNP’s asset sale agenda.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs Mick de Brenni:

“From Cooktown to Cunnamulla, Millmerran to Mareeba, and Bowen to Biloela, the new Miles Government is committed to offering opportunities for young people to engage in Queensland’s clean energy future, no matter where they live.

“The kids of today will build the infrastructure of tomorrow, and these cadetships will provide the foundations to set these young people up to be among the best electrical professionals in the world.”

Quotes attributable to Ergon Energy Network and Energex Cadet Clare Parry:

“I chose this program to enhance my knowledge and to increase my opportunities to move forward in my future electrical apprenticeship.

“I’m hoping this course takes me through to an apprenticeship with Ergon Energy. I love working outdoors, learning new things, and working in rural environments.”

“I loved it! It’s been great learning about all the different aspects of the energy industry by travelling around the region and visiting both commercial and residential properties to complete work to do with meters and relays and respond to customer service requests.”

Quotes attributable to TAFE Queensland Chief Executive Officer, John Tucker:

“Partnering with Ergon Energy Network and Energex ensures that cadets are equipped with skills which directly align to the requirements of the energy industry.

"Each year, we work closely with local industry to ensure our training programs are tailored to their needs and that our students graduate confident, capable, and ready to help drive the success of their industry and communities."

Quote attributable to Energy Queensland Apprentice Program Development Coordinator, Dan McGaw:

“This cadetship program has been specifically developed to equip young people with foundational electrotechnology skills and offers a clear pathway towards an energy industry-related apprenticeship.”

Further information:

TAFE Queensland is the state’s leading training provider in electrotechnology, training around 72 percent of the total electrical apprentices and trainees employed in Queensland.

Applications for the Ergon Energy Network and Energex Pre-apprenticeship Program are open from Monday 15 July until Friday 30 August 2024.

To find out more or to apply, visit https://tafeqld.edu.au/employers/partnerships/energy-queensland-partnership-program

Ergon Energy Network and Energex have depots throughout regional and remote Queensland and are part of the Energy Queensland group of electricity distribution, retail and energy services businesses owned by the state of Queensland.

Depots for on-the-job training offered under this cadetship include:

Far North Queensland: Cooktown, Mareeba, Mossman, Atherton, Ravenshoe, Normanton, Georgetown, Tully, Innisfail

North Queensland: Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Richmond, Hughenden, Charters Towers, Home Hill

Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday: Bowen, Sarina, Moranbah, Clermont, Middlemount

Central Queensland: Pinnacle, Biloela, Theodore, Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall, Winton, Springsure, Emerald, Blackwater

Wide Bay Burnett: Mundubbera, Biggenden, Gayndah, Monto, Murgon, Kingaroy, Yarraman, Kilkivan

Darling Downs and South West: Quilpie, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Roma, St George, Dalby, Tara, Chinchilla, Wandoan, Millmerran, Warwick, Stanthorpe, Gatton, Esk, Boonah, Beaudesert