The search for Ausgrid’s future bright sparks is on again in 2025
Ausgrid’s Bright Spark Apprentice Program is running for the 6th year in 2025, and applications will open in June for those interested in pursuing a career in the energy sector.
Group Executive People and Culture Celina Cross said Ausgrid’s apprentices are an integral part of the workforce, and the future couldn’t be brighter.
“It’s such an exciting time to apply – from installing community batteries, developing the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone, building electric vehicle charging infrastructure, to building and maintaining the electricity network and keeping the lights on, our apprentices are trained for a diverse range of work. We are looking for people of all ages and backgrounds who want to join an organisation where people build long-term careers. This is an opportunity to join Ausgrid, working alongside experienced field teams, with supervision, support, and mentoring throughout the course of the program.”
There are three trade streams to choose from – Electrician, Lineworker and Cable Jointer. All streams offer on-the-job rotational training with experienced field teams across overhead works, substations, transmission, underground works and safety.
Second year apprentice electrician Aurelia St Quintin said she enjoys the practical elements of the job.
“My career looks a lot different to most of my friends, but I feel really proud when we are together, to point out infrastructure and be able to explain to them how it all works."
Third year Cable Jointer Andrew Manoukian said he jumped at the opportunity to work as an apprentice with Ausgrid because to him, it is a job with longevity, that will always be needed.
“I was drawn to Ausgrid because I wanted to be a part of an organisation that looks after the community and Sydney’s valuable electrical assets” Andrew said.
Women made up 26.4% of last year’s apprentice intake and Ausgrid will continue initiatives to support women in order to retain a diverse workforce, better representing the communities we serve.
Case studies
Aurelia St Quintin – 2nd year Electrician
Aurelia joined Ausgrid through the Bright Spark apprentice program after completing high school. She had an interest in electrical engineering, and particularly the practical side. That’s why she is now in the second year of her electrical apprenticeship, whilst completing a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering – concurrently.
Aurelia enjoys the challenge of her busy schedule and how the learning of concepts across her apprenticeship and degree complement one another. She has experienced great support at Ausgrid, having met colleagues from the engineering graduate program. They act as informal mentors who have welcomed her to their group chat to facilitate any questions she has along the way.
Aurelia hopes to become an engineering officer when she finishes her studies, “where I can do both technical and field work”. She wishes to “try out all the options offered by Ausgrid and see what I like the most”.
When Aurelia finished school and began her search for an apprenticeship, she gravitated to Ausgrid because she saw opportunities for growth in a large company and there are ample resources to support her learning. The biggest challenges she has faced was the adjustment to early starts having not been a morning person and learning to work with colleagues of all ages and backgrounds – which she has grown to love.
In her first rotation as an apprentice, Aurelia worked in Sydney CBD, mostly in underground substations. She recalls there being days where it gets very warm in the substations, but the work is so interesting that she quickly got used to it. She now works across Sydney’s Northern Beaches learning about protection of electrical infrastructure including overhead lines and kiosks.
Andrew Manoukian – 3rd year Cable Jointer
When Andrew finished school, he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and seek out an apprenticeship in the electrical industry. A practical thinker, he also wanted a job with longevity, “that will always be needed”.
The work itself as well as the working environment is what drew Andrew to apply for an apprenticeship with Ausgrid. He had “heard about the opportunity and the high standards of learning and workmanships”. Andrew decided that he “wanted to be a part of the community and looking after Sydney’s valuable electrical assets”.
Andrew initially applied for the tech position as I didn’t have much of a view of what cable jointers do, but ended up joining as an apprentice cable jointer, and there is not a day that he regrets it.
Andrew’s favourite part of the job is probably the people he works with because we always have a laugh and even on the tough days, it’s the good people that makes work a great environment. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys riding dirt bikes and off-road four-wheel driving.
Hannah – 3rd year Line Worker
Mum of four Hannah joined the apprenticeship program in 2023 as a line worker. Based in Sydney, the 43-year-old is on her third career, after one as a science-based academic and then a member of the Australian Federal Police.
She says her past career experiences required a lot of travelling away from home and, the apprenticeship means she can have a better balance, enjoying the work she is doing and spending more time with her family.
Hannah applauds the diversity within the apprentice team and the impact this has on the broader workforce who value that women can do work that has been mainly done by only men in the past.
In her spare time, Hannah volunteers for the NSW Rural Fire Service, where she specialises as a Remote Area Firefighter. She notes the support Ausgrid has provided her to carry out her volunteering.
“In the last couple of months, there were bad fires interstate and Ausgrid supported me by providing volunteer leave, allowing me to deploy to Victoria and Tassie.”
Hannah draws links between her current role and previous career paths as well as her volunteering role. She is trained as a personal trainer, which she often still leans on working sporadic weekend shifts.
“It helps me in a safety aspect at work when my colleagues and I are lifting heavy items etc. It’s been good to see that there has been an increase in prioritising looking after your body at work and general safe work practices in this industry.”