On the Brief-Case: Powercor hails “one of the largest” apprenticeship intakes

By Murray Silby

Mar 2, 2023

**High viz biz:** Powercor and CitiPower have recruited a near record 34 apprentices and trainees for 12 locations across the businesses, including three in Shepparton.

Three apprentices will join its Powercor Shepparton depot as part of a near-record intake of apprentices.

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Powercor said between itself and CitiPower, which supplies customer connections in Melbourne, they have recruited 34 apprentices and trainees for 12 locations across the businesses.

The three based in Shepparton are Alex Smith, Callan Aldridge and Cameron McNamara, who are taking up line apprenticeships, which involves maintaining and upgrading the overhead network of poles and wires and responding to faults.

Head of field services Ross Young said the new recruits will experience a huge level of change in their careers.

“It’s a very busy time for our networks and we’re seeing enormous change, we’ve got very large maintenance and major projects programs, we’re seeing significant customer connections growth and we’re delivering a once in a generation transformation of the energy system,” he said.

Nights of nights for GOTAFE graduates

From apprentices starting out to those who are set to graduate, GOTAFE apprentices are celebrating their achievements with graduations this month.

2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott will be the keynote speaker at three graduation ceremonies across the GOTAFE footprint.

The first of three graduations was held on Wednesday, March 1, at Trawool Estate, where students from GOTAFE’s Seymour and Wallan campuses graduated.

Benalla and Wangaratta students will celebrate at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on March 15 with Shepparton students getting their chance at the GV Hotel on March 22.

Rego discounts for apprentices

To round out the good news for apprentices this week, those who live in Victoria, but travel across the borders for work in NSW and South Australia, will benefit from the expansion of the Victorian Government’s trade apprentice registration discount scheme.

Victorian Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne has announced the scheme is expanding to give eligible apprentices a 50 per cent discount on their vehicle’s registration fee and transport accident charge, saving hundreds of dollars.

About 400 Victorians completing their apprenticeships in NSW or South Australia will benefit from the scheme.

The registration discount was introduced in 2016 to reduce costs for apprentices using their own vehicle for work purposes.

Proposed engineered stone ban gets support

It has become a mainstay in homes, but the Victorian Government says it will support national moves to ban engineered stone to protect workers from the devastating lung disease silicosis

Victorian WorkSafe and the TAC Minister Danny Pearson has joined with his Commonwealth and state counterparts in directing Safe Work Australia to undertake urgent investigations into the impacts of a proposed ban on engineered stone and to report back within six months.

Victoria also supports the Commonwealth’s intention to explore a ban on the importation of engineered stone.

“We’ve introduced tough regulations and we support a national ban on engineered stone for the simple reason that no one should be exposed to fatal risks when they clock on each morning,” Mr Pearson said.