The Hunter region continues to play a key part in Australia’s clean energy workforce, with Transgrid expanding its apprenticeship program to support the state’s transition to renewable power.
Over the past five years, 86 apprentices have joined Transgrid across six New South Wales sites, including 17 positions based in Newcastle. Another 30 apprentices will begin in January, six of them in the city. These placements are helping build the next generation of technicians capable of maintaining and modernising the high-voltage transmission network that underpins the state’s energy system.
Transgrid Executive General Manager of Delivery Jennifer Hughes said, “Our apprentices are vital to Australia’s energy future. We’re not just providing jobs – we’re developing skilled professionals who can support our transition to renewable energy and strengthen local communities along the way.”
The Newcastle depot has become a focal point for this training effort, offering pathways into electrical, telecommunications, and transmission line trades. Apprentices receive formal training combined with site experience across regional NSW, learning how to manage safety, maintenance, and system reliability.
For many participants, the program is also a way to build long-term careers in the region.
Newcastle-born technician Samuel Codrington, who started as an apprentice in 2021 and now works full-time in substations, said the experience gave him a strong technical foundation and a sense of connection to the Hunter’s energy heritage.
He recalled working on the Liddell Power Station disconnection as a career highlight, describing it as “a huge team effort” that strengthened his on-site relationships.
The program also continues to attract women pursuing trade careers. Amy Longmuir, a third-year apprentice from Nimbin now in Newcastle, joined through Transgrid’s women’s pre-apprenticeship program and said the company’s Energise gender equality network had provided ongoing support and mentorship.
Transgrid welcome expressions of interest from:
- School leavers ready to learn on the job
- Women looking to enter or return to trades
- First Nations people wanting to work on Country and contribute to community
- Career changers seeking stable, hands-on work
- Regional and metro applicants across NSW and ACT
No prior experience needed, just a willingness to learn, show up, and give it a go.
Transgrid’s apprenticeship program provides structured training, mentorship, and clear career progression toward qualified trade roles critical to major infrastructure projects. By maintaining a strong base of local technicians, the Hunter remains central to NSW’s evolving energy landscape — ensuring the next generation can power both the region and the transition ahead.
