As the energy sector faces significant staffing shortages and rapid change, Essential Energy is taking practical action to help reshape the future workforce - starting with young women in regional communities.

Essential Energy hosted a NextGen Women in Trades event at its Dubbo depot on Wednesday (25 February), giving 10 secondary school students exposure to trade roles and a clear view of career pathways in the energy industry.

The years nine and 10 students from Coolah Central School, 135km north-east of Dubbo, spent an afternoon at the depot, hearing from skilled tradespeople before trying some of the jobs themselves.

“It has really given me a look into the energy industry. I’ve learnt so much and I’m very keen on it,” student Lily Richard says.

Her fellow students agreed that the hands-on experience allowed them to better understand what a career in a trade could involve.

“This has really opened my mind. I got to experience what it was like to climb a (power) pole. I’ve really enjoyed it,” Lily says.

Essential Energy Chief Executive Officer John Cleland, who was among the speakers at the event, says diversity is vital to creating a stronger, more sustainable energy workforce and young females need women in trades to look up to.

“Exposure and visibility breeds possibility - when we show women the fulfilling and varied careers available in the energy sector, young people like those I met in Dubbo can see what’s possible for their future,” he says.

“I am proud that Essential Energy is an industry leader in diversity, and women are increasingly entering our industry, but programs such as the NextGen Women in Trades program are vital to showing them early in their lives that they are not only welcome, but their skills are needed.”

The afternoon at the Essential Energy depot was delivered in partnership with the NSW Government Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) program as part of a week-long event in Dubbo designed to move beyond awareness and provide real world experience in trades. 

The program works with employers and schools across NSW to connect students with industries, helping them better understand career pathways, training options and the skills required for future jobs in regional communities.

RIEP Senior Project Officer Jacqui Masters says the Dubbo program allowed the students to visit a number of different businesses to gain experiences. But with Dubbo being at the heart of a renewable energy zone, Jacqui says the program focussed on jobs in the energy sector.

“In the Central West Orana, we’re focussed a lot on the renewable energy transition where we know there has been an increase in trade roles for young people,” she says.

“Traditionally, we see young males entering those roles so this program is about showcasing the roles for young females so when they come to making decisions post-school, they have a genuine understanding of those careers.”

The energy sector is growing rapidly with 42,000 roles needing to be filled by 2030, creating many opportunities for regional Australians.

The workforce will require specialised training in an increasingly complex industry, which is why the Essential Energy Training Academy, which launches later this year, will be an effective education partner to the industry.

“We have had a very successful apprenticeship program for years but the skills shortage is so large that we started the Essential Energy Training Academy to help grow the broader industry - training people from outside our organisation,” John says.

“To create that pipeline of prospective tradespeople, we need good programs such as RIEP to give young people, and women in particular, a feel for the careers they can pursue.”

Throughout the afternoon, students rotated through a series of supervised activities that reflected real trade tasks undertaken by Essential Energy crews. These included cross arm assembly, fuse testing demonstrations, multi-meter continuity testing using extra low voltage set-ups and viewing Essential Energy trucks and equipment. A harness demonstration and low level platform activity were also included, with all experiences delivered under strict safety controls and age appropriate supervision.