TWO new Powercor apprentices will be deployed to Mildura to help maintain the region’s power network.
Zach Gove and Dane Burford are joining the team, and will each receive a mentor to guide them through the course, and their on-the-job training.
More than 1200 applicants applied to be part of CitiPower and Powercor’s ‘Class of 2025’, and 37 people including Mr Gove and Mr Burford are now learning the skills needed for the roles.
The applicants varied in age from 18 to 44, and will be based in 14 different locations around the state.
The utility company’s head of operations and delivery Barry David said the annual apprentice and trainee intake was the only chance to join a Victorian electricity network directly as part of an in-house field team.
“It’s already been a big summer for our field teams and these new recruits are joining an energetic team dedicated to keeping the lights on for our communities,” he said.
“Our apprenticeship program is about building the next generation of our workforce, people who play an essential role in providing safe and reliable power to homes and businesses.”
Mr Gove is one of the four designer trainees taking part in the program this year, and Mr Burford is one of 21 overhead lineworker trainees.
Other recruits across the state include five electrical fitters, three underground cable joiners, one meter technician, two asset inspector trainees and one No Go Zone trainee.
“We’ve selected people with a positive attitude, who are community and customer minded, put safety first and who are eager to lean,” Mr David said.
The apprenticeship program has been running for more than 20 years, more than 500 apprentices have completed the program and more than 100 apprentices are currently part of the workforce.
The 2026 apprentice intake will open later this year.
