Ergon Energy is an employer of choice for people considering starting a career in the electricity distribution business. In 2005 Ergon Energy implemented an innovative Program aimed at providing a structured training and development path for Para Professionals and System Designers in the electricity business.

The Technical Trainee Program is open to candidates from varying backgrounds, however criteria varies dependent upon the actual role offered:

• Mature entry candidates;
• Trade qualified candidates; and
• School leavers.

The Technical Trainee Program is a four year program with two streams - Para Professional and System Designer. A traineeship comprises on-the-job experience; off-the-job rotations throughout Ergon Energy; and tertiary training to cover the theory components of the role.

To view the System Designer Program click here.

To view the Para Professional Program click here.

CURRENT TECHNICAL TRAINEESHIPS

ERGON ENERGY GROUPS

This year we have Technical Trainee positions available in the following groups:

Network Protection and Control
The Network Protection & Control Team is responsible for identifying and developing policies and standards for all secondary systems, including protection, metering, SCADA/control systems and communications and for developing and recommending capital and maintenance programs for these systems

Network Maintenance and Standards
The Network Maintenance and Standards group is responsible for identifying, developing, deploying, and maintaining policies, standards, purchase specifications and processes required for the construction, operation, maintenance and replacement of network assets (excluding secondary assets), and generation assets in accordance with agreed asset management policies and strategies.

Communication and Control Systems
This group is responsible for the design of communication systems and SCADA (control) systems for the Ergon network.  SCADA systems enable the control of devices on the electricity network and capture data for use by network operators.  To allow this to happen communication systems are needed to relay the information back to regional control centres.  The Comms and Control Systems group designs radio, optic fibre, telephone and satellite systems to provide the required communications ability.

Substation Design
The Substation Design group is responsible for the design of major high voltage substations in Ergon Energy.  This includes the layout of substations, the procurement of major plant and other equipment, the production of schematics and detailed engineering calculations and drawings.  The design is then used by construction crews or external contractors to construct new substations.

Engineering Services - Distribution Line Design
This group designs major overhead power lines, 66kV and above, using a variety of structures including concrete poles, steel poles and transmission towers. That includes the layout of line routes and subsequent detailed design for each structure taking into account the terrain which may include water courses, crops and local environmental considerations

Regional Works Planning - Distribution Design
Regional Works Planning develops and design layout for new distribution lines for domestic and small commercial business. Also responsible for the Design for upgrading existing infrastructure, such a street lighting. This can be both overhead and underground services.

Transmission Services – Secondary Systems
While Transmission Services primary responsibility is the delivery of the sub-transmission and transmission maintenance plans for Ergon Energy and Powerlink, the workgroup also provides resources to enable other workgroups to meet their maintenance and capital works plans. Transmission Services provides resources to assist Power Services to meet its plans in metering, safety equipment testing and distribution transformer repair. Transmission Services also supports Generation and Transmission workgroup through the provision of resources for construction, testing and commissioning of the Ergon and Powerlink capital works projects. Another key role of Transmission Services is the provision of technical crews to work on projects, including the construction and maintenance of high-voltage assets.

Network Data and Information
Network Information is responsible for ensuring Ergon Energy's network data is stored and maintained in state-of-the-art systems and applications that allow for easy data access and reporting. In order to achieve this, Network Data has three functional groups - Applications & Strategy, Data Operations and Data Services.  Network Data are involved in many projects that aim to improve data quality, systems and system integration, and business processes that support the entire business. We also provide services to many parts of the business, such as reports and custom data extracts through Data Services or the capture and processing of network data though Data Operations.

Network Maintenance and Standards
The Network Maintenance and Standards group is responsible for identifying, developing, deploying, and maintaining policies, standards, purchase specifications and processes required for the construction, operation, maintenance and replacement of network assets (excluding secondary assets), and generation assets in accordance with agreed asset management policies and strategies.

Civil Services
The Civil Services Group covers many aspects of civil and building maintenance at substation and communications sites, including fire panels, fire extinguishers and air-conditioning, painting, pest control, normal and emergency repairs and maintenance, plumbing and carpentry, ground maintenance, oil containment inspections and audits, security fence and gates, routine civil and building audits, stormwater management and site discharge sampling.

The table below identifies where each of our 16 positions are available for 2010 intake: