The Western Australian Government is furthering its focus on job training and employment opportunities, with Western Power announcing the hiring of 33 apprentices, trainees, and recent university graduates.
Western Power’s nationally accredited training program, which is delivered in collaboration with registered training organisations, offers specialised skills in electrical, overhead linework, cable jointing, and heavy mechanical fields.
These programs have provided participants with the on-the-job vocational experience necessary to succeed in the energy industry, the government said in a news release.
Energy Minister Reece Whitby emphasised the importance of apprenticeships for both the local economy and the evolving energy sector.
“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,” Whitby said.
He further highlighted the government’s commitment to maintaining public ownership of Western Power, ensuring ongoing access to such training and employment opportunities for Western Australians.
“The Cook Labor Government is proudly committed to investing in and supporting employment for all Western Australians,” he added.
Among the 33 new recruits, Ethan Edwards and Sagar Kumar were named Western Power’s apprentices of the year.
Edwards, a heavy mechanical apprentice, and Kumar, a distribution line worker apprentice, both received recognition for their outstanding achievements in the program.
Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk also underscored the significance of these training initiatives, particularly in relation to Western Australia’s clean energy future.
“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,” McGurk stated.
She noted that the government is focused on developing a skilled workforce for the ongoing clean energy transition.
“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,” she explained.
Western Power is currently recruiting for the next intake of apprentices and trainees, with successful candidates to be notified in December and beginning their training in January 2025.
