The largest intake of apprentices and trainees in a decade has joined CitiPower and Powercor, including two apprentices for each of the Shepparton, Cobram and Echuca depots.
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Ranging in age from 17 to 39, the new apprentices will also be based in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Colac, Warrnambool, Kyneton, Mildura, Horsham, Maryborough, Richmond and Brooklyn.
The group includes eight women — the highest female intake of the apprenticeship and traineeship program so far.
Head of operations and delivery Barry David said the roles included the only lineworker apprenticeships offered directly by a Victorian network business.
“We are building the next generation of our field workforce, which plays an essential role in keeping the lights on for communities,” Mr David said.
“This summer, our field teams have been responding to major storms, fires and other weather events, getting the power back on to communities safely and as quickly as possible.
“Our new apprentices will become part of our frontline teams and have an opportunity to build a career in an essential industry that is rapidly changing, delivering new opportunities and the need for new skills.”
CitiPower and Powercor’s apprenticeship program has been running for over 20 years, with more than 500 apprentices completing the program and 109 apprentices currently part of the workforce.
The 2025 apprentice intake will open later this year.
Powercor moves electricity to and from more than 902,000 homes and businesses across the western suburbs of Melbourne and through central and western Victoria to the South Australian and NSW borders.
Its network is made up of more than 77,000km of total wires and more than 597,000 poles and associated infrastructure.
GSCC recruitment success
With several sectors across the Goulburn Valley struggling to fill vacancies, some have resorted to recruitment days to attract new staff.
Last November, the Goulburn Murray Local Jobs Recruitment Event aimed to match prospective workers with employers within the care sector.
More recently, Greater Shepparton City Council held a recruitment day at the McIntosh Centre in Shepparton on February 28 with the aim of filling roles in parks, sport, recreation and infrastructure maintenance.
Council hailed the day a success, saying it helped simplify the job application process by providing an easier, quicker and more accessible path for interested individuals.
Council manager infrastructure maintenance Timothy Zak said it was a successful day with 67 attendees, including 30 for civil infrastructure maintenance and 37 for parks, sport and recreation.
“We were pleased to see such a strong turnout at the recruitment day,” Mr Zak said.
Those who missed the recruitment day but are interested in working for council can contact council by emailing council@shepparton.vic.gov.au or visiting the careers page at greatershepparton.com.au
Goulburn Region Tourism partnership
Expressions of interest in joining the inaugural board of the Goulburn Region Tourism partnership are being sought.
Goulburn Region Tourism Inc is the new visitor economy partnership for the geographical region of Mitchell Shire Council, Strathbogie Shire Council and Greater Shepparton City Council.
GRT is a new partnership between local government, state government and the tourism industry, designed to support the growth of the visitor economy in the Goulburn Region.
The Goulburn Region welcomed two million visitors in 2022, generating $337 million in total gross revenue.
This new entity will be the leading voice for the visitor economy in the region.
The GRT chair is a paid position, with applications closing at 11am on Tuesday, March 12.
Applications for the voluntary board member positions close at 11am on Monday March 25.
For more information, visit https://buff.ly/4c1AtQm
Senior Journalist