a guide to careers in

ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Apprenticeconnect AustrAliA Advisors

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phone 1300 218 800

emAil info@careersinenergy.com.au

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Careers-in-Energy

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introductionthe energy And telecommunicAtions industries offer excellent cAreer pAthwAys for Jobseekers.

Australia is experiencing a significant level of investment in new projects and renewal of ageing infrastructure, rapid population expansion, and economic growth of industries.

Australia’s demand for skilled and semi-skilled workers, along with professional, technical and maintenance support, and process and production workers in technical and nontechnical roles will continue for years to come.

contentsstArting your cAreer in the industry 2

cAreer pAthwAys chArt 3

Apprenticeships & trAineeships 4

electrotechnology 6

electricity supply & rAil 8

coAl seAm gAs to liquefied nAturAl gAs 10

nAturAl gAs trAnsmission & distribution 12

power generAtion 14

telecommunicAtions 16

sustAinAble & renewAble energy 18

key contActs 20

2

with enthusiAsm And initiAtive, there Are mAny wAys to gAin employment in the energy And telecommunicAtions industries. these include:

› School-based apprenticeships (direct with employer and high school)

› Apprenticeships, traineeships and cadetships (direct with employer)

› Apprentice/trainee positions with a Group Training Organisation (GTO)

› Pre-employment/pre-vocational training in a chosen trade

› University bachelor degrees in related disciplines.

Work experience, vacation work, internships, scholarships and graduate programs also provide an excellent opportunity to get hands-on experience to establish and advance your career in a broad and dynamic industry.

be direct

Find an employer you would like to work for, research the company and ask plenty of questions. If you know someone who works at the company, ask about the work and the organisational culture.

If you don’t know someone, ask for a member of the company’s recruitment team to tell you more about how you can join the company. This may include asking about work experience, joining site tours, submitting questions and/or asking to be interviewed. Always follow up on the progress of your application.

Employers in the energy and telecommunications industries have varying selection criteria for recruiting new entrants. However, to be considered for employment, applicants must generally meet the following criteria:

› be aged 15 years or over

› have successfully completed Year 10 of secondary school education

› some employers may prefer successful completion of Year 11 or 12 of secondary school education and/or a pre-vocational/pre-employment course.

Employers also seek the following personal attributes when recruiting:

› sound to high level in english, mathematics and science subjects

› effective communication skills

› neat and tidy presentation

› punctuality and a positive attitude

› interest in the industry as a career, not just as a job

› ability to work at heights, in confined spaces, and/or around moving machinery

› ability to distinguish between colours.

energy skills test – online Aptitude Assessment

Are you suitable for a career in energy or electrotechnology? Take this test. energyskillstest.com.au

starting Your career in the industrY

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career pathwaYs chart

ENTRY ➡ Bachelor Degree + On-the-job Experience

ENTRY ➡ Advanced Diploma + On-the-job Experience

ENTRY ➡ Diploma + On-the-job Experience

ENTRY ➡ Certificate IV + On-the-job Experience

ENTRY ➡ Certificate III + On-the-job Experience

ENTRY ➡ Certificate II + On-the-job Experience

ENTRY ➡ Certificate I + On-the-job Experience

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most trAdespeople complete An Apprenticeship to become trAde quAlified. Apprenticeships in the energy And telecommunicAtions industries offer the opportunity to eArn An income while trAining to complete A nAtionAlly recognised quAlificAtion.

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs) allow high school students who have successfully completed Year 10 to work for an employer and at the same time train towards a recognised qualification while completing high school.

Generally speaking, apprenticeships run for four years. Apprenticeships are based on achieving competencies. A competency means that you have been assessed as being able to carry out a certain task or combination of tasks, both in theory and practice, to an established standard.

Although each trade encompasses different skills, in order to complete their apprenticeships, achieve the necessary competencies and become fully-qualified tradespersons, all apprentices must be successful in both off-the-job and on-the-job training.

electricAl licensing

The electrical industry requires a licence to undertake electrical work. It is illegal to perform electrical work without an electrical licence. Qualified electrical workers complete an apprenticeship or traineeship where they learn the trade on the job while under supervision, as well as studying at a registered training organisation.

apprenticeships and traineeships

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how to Apply for An Apprenticeship or trAineeship

step 1Find an employer who will accept you as an apprentice or trainee and begin the training contract sign-up process with an Australian Apprenticeship Centre (AAC). For school-based apprenticeships, an education, training and employment schedule is required to be completed.

step 2 The AAC will organise and conduct the signing of the contract. This requires the consent of a parent or guardian (if you are under 18) so that the AAC can proceed with the signing of the training contract.

step 3After the contract has been signed by the employer and the apprentice/trainee, the AAC will formally notify a selected Supervising Registered Training Organisation (SRTO) to develop a training program with the employer and determine a schedule for training.

step 4 The training contract will be registered by the AAC with a state training authority for approval. Once the training contract is approved, the apprentice/trainee and the parent or guardian will receive a copy of the approval letter.

Upon successful completion of the training course, an RTO will issue the apprentice with a national qualification.

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electrotechnology is the lArgest energy industry sector And offers An exciting ArrAy of cAreer prospects And exposure to rApidly expAnding And chAnging cutting-edge technology.

This industry includes: electrical; electronics; data and voice communications; appliance servicing; computer systems; digital reception technologies; instrumentation; lifts; motor assembly and overhaul; refrigeration and air-conditioning; and sustainable and renewable energies.

Electrical tradespeople, technicians, engineers and other professionals are also in demand in other industry sectors.

cAreer pAths

People working in the electrotechnology industry are involved in a wide range of tasks including one or more of the following: design; research; management; estimation; assembly; installation; construction; diagnostics; maintenance; commissioning; programming; testing or repair of network systems, circuits, computer equipment, components, appliances and/or facilities.

electrotechnologY (includes electricAl, Air-conditioning And refrigerAtion)

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electrotechnology industry occupAtions include:

› Appliance servicer

› Business equipment technician

› Computer and IT systems technician

› Data and voice communication technician

› Electrician

› Electronics technician

› Engineer

› Instrumentation technician

› Process controller

› Lift mechanic

› Electric motor overhauler and assembler

› Process assembly worker

› Communications technician

› Refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanic

› Renewable/sustainable energy technician

› Security and fire alarm technician.

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demAnd for electricity is expected to grow significAntly in the next few yeArs to meet the power needs of residentiAl, commerciAl And industriAl expAnsion. the electricity supply industry invests hundreds of millions of dollArs in building And mAintAining networks to meet these needs.

the electricity supply industry comprises A number of interconnected sectors:

› transmission – electricity is transported from power stations through the high voltage transmission network. Voltage is then reduced to a lower voltage at substations.

› distribution – electricity is distributed to homes and business via ‘bulk supply’ substations.

› rail – electricity is distributed for transportation of people and goods by various types of rail traction vehicles (e.g. tram and train).

electricitY supplY and rail

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cAreer pAths

Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) workers are in high demand now more than ever. Technological innovation, the range of work activities and the occupations required in ESI transmission and distribution provide excellent career opportunities.

People working in the electricity supply and rail industry are involved in a wide range of tasks including one or more of the following:

› inspection of overhead structures, underground systems and electrical systems

› installation and maintenance of towers, poles, structures, equipment and hardware

› installation and maintenance of conductors, cables and/or rail traction wiring systems

› installation and maintenance of de-energised low voltage and high voltage underground cables

› power systems design, systems operations and specialised testing

› revenue meter installation.

electricity supply And rAil industry occupAtions include:

› Designer – distribution network/transmission network/electricity systems/substation circuitry and layout

› Electrotechnology communications tradesperson

› Electrical fitter mechanic (electrician)

› Electrician – control systems/facilities systems/power systems/plant servicing systems/signalling systems

› Engineer – mechanical/civil/electrical

› Overhead linesperson

› Planner – distribution network/transmission network

› Scada technician

› Underground cable jointer.

10

queenslAnd’s gAs proJect developments include explorAtion for coAl seAm gAs in the surAt And bowen bAsins, construction of A 450km gAs trAnsmission pipeline to glAdstone And the construction of liquefied nAturAl gAs fAcilities in glAdstone.

The Queensland Coal Seam Gas (CSG) to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Industry has four major projects that have the potential to offer as many as 18,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next eight years.

The four major gas projects are:

› Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG) › Gladstone Liquefied Natural Gas (GLNG) › Queensland Curtis LNG Project

› Arrow LNG Plant Project.

CSG is an emerging energy source around the world and is abundant. Most of Queensland’s CSG is close to existing major gas pipelines, making it an attractive energy source for power station operators, large industrial users and gas retailers.

Many of the projects include exploring and drilling the CSG from the Bowen Basin areas of Moranbah, Moura, Fairview, Spring Gully, Peat and Scotia, and the Surat Basin areas of Roma, Dalby, Chinchilla and Emerald, and piping this gas to Gladstone or Abbot Point for the liquefaction of CSG to produce LNG for export.

coal seam gas to liquefied natural gas

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cAreer pAths

These projects will create thousands of jobs during construction and generate sustainable long-term employment throughout their lives. People working in the CSG/LNG industry are involved in a wide range of tasks including one or more of the following:

› drilling and exploration at coal seam gas fields

› construction of pipelines, compression stations and related infrastructure

› construction of LNG processing plant facilities and infrastructure in Gladstone

› operation and maintenance of pipelines, compression stations and infrastructure

› operation and maintenance of LNG processing plant facilities in Gladstone.

some of the csg/lng industry occupAtions include:

› Driller and driller’s assistant

› Electrical and instrumentation technician

› Electrical fitter mechanic

› Engineer – most disciplines

› Geologist

› Geophysicist

› Logistics technician/administrator

› Maintenance technician

› Process plant operator

› Production technician.

12

the gAs industry is A mAJor supplier of energy to AustrAliA, supplying Around 30% of industry energy needs And 20% to residentiAl homes.

Gas transmission and distribution refers to the supply of natural gas via transmission and distribution pipelines and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) via cylinders to domestic, commercial and industrial customers. It does not refer to the extraction of gas from its source, nor the installation or maintenance of gas appliances within domestic or manufacturing environments.

Five major natural gas transmission pipelines transport natural gas from the field to market. Natural gas distribution networks (serviced by transmission pipelines) are operated by gas distribution businesses that service Australia’s cities and towns.

cAreer pAths

People working in the gas transmission and distribution industry are involved in a wide range of tasks including one or more of the following:

› design of transmission/distribution/processing/ storage systems

› construction and maintenance of those systems › commissioning and decommissioning of systems › metering and billing of customers.

some of the gAs trAnsmission And distribution industry occupAtions include:

› Engineer › Project manager › Line manager › Field supervisor › Electrical and instrumentation technician › Mechanical technician › Electrical technician › Technical support and gas control.

natural gas transmission and distribution

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the electricity generAtion industry provides opportunities for professionAl development And trAining to ensure the industry hAs the cApAbilities to meet AustrAliA’s current And future energy requirements.

The majority of electricity generation is sourced from coal-fired power stations. However, there are an increasing number of gas-fired power stations and other renewable energy sources being used to generate electricity, such as solar hydro, wind and biomass.

Government Owned Corporations (GOC) own many of the larger power stations in Australia, however there are an increasing number of privately-owned power stations.

cAreer pAths

People working in the power generation industry are involved in a wide range of tasks including one or more of the following:

› electrical, electronic, instrumentation and mechanical maintenance

› installation of new plant

› local operation of plant systems

› management and coordination of unit or station operations

› operation of the plant from the control room.

some of the power generAtion industry occupAtions include:

› Controller

› Electrical, instrumentation and control tradesperson

› Electrical fitter mechanic

› Engineer – electrical, chemical and mechanical

› Manager

› Mechanical tradesperson

› Operator

› Supervisor

› Technician

› Technical officer

› Tools and materials storeperson.

power generation

16

AustrAliA’s nAtionAl broAdbAnd network (nbn) rollout is A mAJor infrAstructure undertAking thAt will require A significAnt workforce of skilled telecommunicAtions workers to design, construct And mAintAin in All regions of the country.

The NBN project will lead to high demand for workers in many existing and new employment functions. An additional 10,000 cablers/data communications and digital installers plus up to 30,000 new positions in ICT sectors will be required to meet the needs of digital switch over and broadband rollout.

The industry includes the installation, servicing, repair and maintenance of electrical and electronic equipment for industrial, commercial and domestic purposes. The telecommunications industry also comprises communications, distribution and transmission, electrical generation and computer data and communications cabling systems.

cAreer pAths

People working in the telecommunications industry are involved in a wide range of tasks including one or more of the following:

› cabling (copper and fibre optic)

› digital reception technologies

› data warehousing

› network planning and network security

› radio communications

› services, testing and support

› project management.

some of the telecommunicAtions industry occupAtions include:

› Access network cabling worker/communications officer

› Broadcast maintenance technician

› Computer and IT systems technician/technical officer

› Data and voice communications cabler/tradesperson

› Digital reception technology installer/tradesperson

› Electronics and communications technician

› Engineer – networks/communication field/telecommunications

› Field service technician

› Network installer

› Radio, television and communication technician

› Telecommunications installation worker/cabling worker.

telecommunications

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18

the growing importAnce of sustAinAble And renewAble energy, And community focus on energy efficiency will generAte mAny new Jobs in this industry And the opening of A new suite of skills in trAditionAl energy And electricAl trAdes.

Renewable energy refers to energy generated from natural resources – such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat – which are renewable (i.e. naturally replenished).

Sustainable energy refers to the provision of energy to meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainable energy sources are most often regarded as including all renewable sources, such as those mentioned above, plus bio-fuels. It also includes technologies that improve energy efficiency.

cAreer pAths

There are numerous career paths on offer within the sustainable energy sector. Research and development capabilities for achieving more efficient means of generating and delivering electricity are the key skills required.

People working in the sustainable and renewable energy industries are involved in a wide range of tasks including one or more of the following:

› energy efficiency assessment – domestic, commercial and/or industrial

› design and maintenance of renewable energy systems

› diagnosis of faults/malfunctions on equipment and systems

› installation and maintenance of photovoltaic solar panels

› project management › sustainability assessment › technical support and advice.

some of the sustAinAble And renewAble energy occupAtions include:

› Electrician – air-conditioning split systems › Electrician – instrumentation › Electrician – photovoltaic systems › Electrician – renewable energy › Electronics and control

technician/engineer › Engineer – electrical › Energy efficiency assessor › Sustainability assessor › Gridconnect accredited PV installer › HVAC (heating, ventilation and

air-conditioning) professional › Smart meter installer.

sustainable and renewable energY

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20

energy skills test—online Aptitude Assessment

Are you suitable for a career in energy or electrotechnology? Take this test. energyskillstest.com.au

Apprenticeships And trAineeships

For a full list of apprenticeship and traineeship service organisations for the energy and telecommunications industries visit careersinenergy.com.au australianapprenticeships.gov.au grouptraining.com.au apprenticeconnect.com.au

employers And recruitment compAnies

For a full list of employers and recruitment companies for the energy and telecommunications industries visit careersinenergy.com.au

trAining orgAnisAtions

For a full list of registered training organisations visit careersinenergy.com.au training.gov.au

group trAining orgAnisAtions

For a full listing of group training organisations that employ and train apprentices visit grouptraining.com.au

skills recognition/recognition of prior leArning (rpl)

Trades Recognition Australia deewr.gov.au/TRA

industry AssociAtion

Master Electricians Australia masterelectricians.com.au

industry skills councils

E-Oz Energy Skills Australia e-oz.com.au

Innovation & Business Skills Australia ibsa.org.au

KeY contacts

© COPYRIGHT 2013

This guide was produced by Energy Skills Queensland for the ApprenticeConnect Australia Advisors Project to provide career advice and information to potential and existing Australian Apprenticeship candidates interested in starting a career in the energy and telecommunications industries.

The ApprenticeConnect Australia Advisors Project is an initiative of Master Electricians Australia in partnership with Energy Skills Queensland funded by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education through the Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring Package.

Master Electricians Australia Ltd is a not-for-profit organisation peak electrical body that provides an accreditation program to electrical contractors seeking to differentiate themselves from other contractors. Master Electricians Australia represents the best of the electrical trade across the country.

Energy Skills Queensland is the Industry Skills Body leading energy industry and government engagement on education and training, skills development and labour market issues.

Energy Skills Queensland would like to acknowledge the contribution by Industry Skills Council EE-Oz Training Standards, industry employers and associations.

Photos provided courtesy of ApprenticeConnect, Electrogroup, Ergon Energy, Origin Energy, SkillsTech Australia, APA Group and CS Energy.

FOR MORE CAREER AND TRAINING INFORMATION AND ADVICE PHONE 1300 218 800 OR VISIT

phone

1300 218 800

emAil

info@careersinenergy.com.au

Join the discussion online

careersinenergy.com.au

Careers-in-Energy

@Careers_Energy