At Elecnor Australia, building the EnergyConnect transmission line is about more than just infrastructure—it is about investing in the communities that host us. In partnership with Transgrid and our subcontractors, we are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining First Nations talent within the energy sector.
A central pillar of this strategy is our ongoing engagement with local high schools to inspire the next generation of industry professionals.
HANDS-ON INSIGHTS INTO THE ENERGY TRANSITION
During January, our team visited First Nations students at Narrandera High School who are currently participating in the Clontarf Foundation and Stars Foundation programs. Our experts—including Construction Manager Brian O’Hare, Senior Civil Engineer Nicholas Moore, Health and Safety Advisor Pauline Phillips, and Shalini Gonsalves from our Communications team—shared their diverse experiences across the energy transmission industry.
Key highlights of the session included:
- The Reality of Modern Construction: Students discussed the practicalities of the job, from working safely at heights on 60m towers to the logistics of living in camps on fly-in/fly-out (FIFO) rosters.
- Wellbeing on the Job: A focus on maintaining both physical and mental health while working on large-scale infrastructure projects.
- Career Pathways: We explored the various routes into the industry, highlighting that success can be found through university degrees, TAFE certifications, work experience, and apprenticeships.
DRIVING CHANGE IN THE RIVERINA
The core takeaway for the students was the scale of opportunity right in their backyard. As the Riverina becomes a hub for the clean energy transition, these projects offer local Indigenous youth a chance to build rewarding careers while contributing to a sustainable future.
“Our goal is to show students that the clean energy transition isn’t just a global concept—it’s a local opportunity for long-term career growth.”
We would like to extend our thanks to John Ingram from the Clontarf Foundation for organizing this visit and for his continued dedication to student development.
