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 students across regional communities.

Essential Energy is again partnering with the NSW Government Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) program this year to host student work experience events that move beyond awareness and provide real world experience in trades.

The RIEP 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.

Essential Energy hosted 24 events with RIEP in 2025 with plans to further boost engagement with students across 2026 as the energy sector looks to fill a shortfall of 42,000 trades roles across Australia by 2030.

Essential Energy Chief Executive Officer John Cleland says the industry needs to do everything it can to promote itself to the next generation of energy workers.

“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 so they understand that the energy transition is delivering economic benefits to regional Australians,” John says.

Those future tradespeople 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.

“The Essential Energy Training Academy is partnering with industry stakeholders keen to build the skills capabilities needed to drive the energy transition and meet growing workforce demand.”

NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said programs that connect students with industry are critical to building the skilled workforce needed for the future energy sector.

“Programs like the Regional Industry Education Partnerships give students in regional NSW a real look at the kinds of careers available in essential industries like energy.”

“Working with industry partners like Essential Energy helps more young people, including more young women, see what’s possible in trades and start building the skills we need for the future energy workforce.”

RIEP Regional Manager Fiona Forrester says the Essential Energy Training Academy’s footprint across six sites in regional NSW will significantly expand access to training and career pathways for young people.

“Having campuses located across regional communities means more students can see what a future in the energy sector looks like while staying close to home so we’re quite keen to work closely with the Training Academy to reach more young people,” Fiona says.

Essential Energy recently hosted a RIEP NextGen Women in Trades event at its Dubbo depot on February 25, 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,” one student said.

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

John Cleland was among the speakers at the event and 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 drive 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. 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.”