2026 Female Identified Apprentice Program

Essential Energy is offering a 2026 Female Identified Apprentice Program in Australia, focusing on Powerline Worker, Cable Jointer, and Zone Substation Electrical Technician roles. This four-year program combines on-the-job training with classroom learning, aimed at developing skills for the energy industry. Candidates should be passionate about community impact and able to perform physically demanding tasks. The positions are location-specific and not remote.
Job Description

We are unique

Join an organisation that values your voice, empowers your autonomy, recognises the strength in diversity, and prioritises your well-being while offering attractive remuneration and benefits. Take pride in having a meaningful impact on regional, rural and remote communities while being a pivotal player in the energy industry's future.

We aim to support you in line with your personal circumstances to achieve your goals and enable you to take advantage of the diverse range of training and development opportunities available within the business.

Essential Energy was recognised as a national leader for our Apprenticeship Program which won at the 2024 Australian Training Awards . Our training programs are designed to equip our employees with the skills needed for this evolving industry, ensuring they remain at the forefront of technological advancements.

About The Role

Apprenticeships are four-year structured programs that offer you the best of work and study. You learn on-the-job as well as in the classroom to become a qualified tradesperson, with a fantastic head start in your chosen career. In an apprenticeship with Essential Energy, you will have hands-on experience in the ever evolving energy industry.

Powerline Workers are responsible for building and maintaining the poles and wires that deliver electricity to our communities. Essential Energy have opportunities available for Powerline Worker Apprenticeships in the following locations in 2026:

Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Forbes, Gunnedah, Hillston, Leeton, Lismore, Mudgee, Port Macquarie, Quirindi, Tamworth, and West Wyalong.

Cable Jointers are responsible for the construction, installation and maintenance of underground and associated electrical equipment that delivers electricity to our communities. Essential Energy has opportunities for Cable Jointer Apprenticeships in the following locations in 2026:

Bathurst and Orange.

Zone Substation Electrical Technicians are responsible for the Coordination/ management of construction and maintenance of Zone Substations and the installation, commissioning and testing of Zone Substation equipment. Essential Energy has opportunities for Zone Substation Electrical Technician Apprenticeships in the following locations in 2026:

Bega, Grafton, Tweed Heads, and Wagga.

About You

If you are a passionate person who is excited to start your career within a supportive and inclusive team where you will have the opportunity to work outdoors while gaining a nationally recognised qualification and making positive contributions to your local community then this is the opportunity for you.

All of our apprentice positions are physical roles and you will be required to maintain a level of physical fitness with the ability to lift, carry push and pull up to 20kg (34kg for a two person carry) and stand for extended periods of time. Tasks will involve actions such as squatting, bending, twisting, kneeling, shovelling, walking, crouching and balancing.

You will require upper limb strength and endurance to undertake tasks including, carrying and stabilising ladders, climbing, reaching overhead and working at heights for extended periods of time.

You will be required to travel for blocks of training (with costs covered by Essential Energy), when undertaking the classroom training.

Why Essential Energy

We offer competitive remuneration commensurate with skills and experience and 16% superannuation.

For information on our employee benefits (such as Fitness Passport, Apple, JB Hi-Fi and Dell Employee Purchase Programs and 26 weeks paid parental leave for primary and secondary carers) please visit our Employee Benefits page.

We are proud to be recognised as a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for All Women .

An energy network doesn’t just keep the lights on… it’s a living network that needs to adapt to new and emerging energy generation technologies while still meeting the energy needs of customers.

It requires innovation, commitment, and collaboration to bring people together to solve the energy delivery challenges of the modern world.

Your potential will be realised, and you’ll feel a real sense of purpose and satisfaction knowing you have a pivot role to play in delivering the energy of the future to the people who need it today.

To be eligible to apply for these opportunities you will need to have:

Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency status.

These are identified positions and applicants must identify as being female, in accordance with Essential Energy’s exemption under section 126 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) (the “Act”) from sections 25 and 51 of the Act.

For further information please email careers@essentialenergy.com.au or call 1800 255 777.
• More information about the roles, process and Apprentice Program can be found on our website.

Have questions? We love curious minds and are holding several online “Ask us Anything” sessions. Please register for one of our sessions and bring along any questions that you have about Essential Energy’s Apprentice program.

Applications close on Sunday 25 May 2025 at 11:55pm.

Passionate people. Global thinking. Regional heart.  

Building a better energy future.  

Essential Energy is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages applicants to apply regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.  

As an organisation, our aim is to champion inclusivity in the workplace and celebrate the difference in all our employees.