Hydro Tasmania and Workskills Tasmania have joined forces to introduce young people to career opportunities in the state’s hydropower sector through a hands-on work experience program.
A group of nine young people aged 17–25 attended the two-day work exposure program, which included a power station tour, speed careering and shadowing staff at the Edgar Dam Upgrade works.
Hydro Tasmania Project Manager, Oliver Giudici, said the program was focused on introducing participants to different roles within the business.
“It’s not every day you get an up-close look at an infrastructure project of this size, or the chance to explore a power station,” Mr Giudici said.
“This program is designed to provide young people with insights into a range of trades and professional roles and give them the confidence try something new.
“We know we need more young people working across Tasmania’s industries to meet the demand of the future and this is a fantastic way to show the opportunities available to them.”
Day one saw the group go behind the scenes at Cluny Power Station where they learnt all about how a power station turns water into electricity.
Hydro Tasmania Trainee Maintenance Assistants Jordan Ling and Libby Watts, and Cadet Hydrographer Isobel Hodge were on hand to answer questions and talk about what it takes to keep a power station running safely and efficiently.
Attendees also participated in speed careering and had the chance to learn about what it’s like working for Hydro Tasmania and get tips on applying for a job and navigating the interview process.
Workskills Youth Programs Manager, Sophie Calic, said many program participants had left school early and missed out on similar opportunities.
“Hydro Tasmania has collaborated with us to create an experience that meets participants where they are at, offering real industry exposure, skill-building, and a glimpse into career possibilities they may not have considered,” Ms Calic said.
“This program is a great example of how industry can play a crucial role in giving young people exposure to the labour market, insight into what employers need, and the confidence to take their next steps.”
Sophie Sproule, 18, said the program had opened her eyes to the many career possibilities at Hydro Tasmania and she was now interested in a career as a maintenance assistant.
“You get to experience new things that you didn’t think you’d be interested in. That has opened my mind a lot because you don’t realise how many jobs there actually are within the one industry,” Ms Sproule said.
“I would like to try a maintenance assistant role, I think there are lots of different opportunities within that.”
Day two saw the group make the journey to Edgar Dam, an important part of the mighty Gordon-Pedder hydropower scheme where a major upgrade is currently underway.
Participants were given the unique opportunity to shadow real jobs within the power station and around the dam site with roles like dam maintenance, on-site labour tasks, drone flying, civil construction, water testing and environmental controls and project planning and engineering.
Tasmanian contractor Hall Earthmoving is carrying out the upgrade at Edgar Dam and Director, Chris Hall, and Site Supervisor, Tim Barker, were there to give attendees hands-on experience of a live worksite.
Martin Bennett, 24, said the program had shown him career pathways he hadn’t considered before.
“I didn’t know anything a couple of days ago, now I know a lot about dams and how they work,” Mr Bennett said.
“There are definitely a couple of different pathways there that I can see a career through – it’s good. I can see myself working here, there are a lot of great people who support each other.”
