Stanwell’s newest recruits power up their careers

5 March 2021

An electrifying new class of trainees and apprentices will kick-start their careers in the energy industry at Stanwell Power Station and Tarong power stations.

Stanwell’s apprenticeship and traineeship programs provide structured opportunities for participants to develop their skills in line with industry training standards. 

Our apprentices and trainees earn money while learning from highly experienced mentors, tradespeople and site representatives at two of the most efficient and reliable coal-fired power stations in the country, and finish with a nationally recognised qualification to give them a head start in their careers. 

Stanwell Power Station’s apprenticeship and traineeship program has been helping to generate skills in the Central Queensland region for two decades. In 2021, we welcome a total of six apprentices and trainees to Stanwell Power Station, including electrical instrumentation apprentices Toby Richardson, Kurt Perrett and Noel Ponsamy, mechanical fitter and turner apprentices Michael Lutter and Mackenzie Cowan, and business trainee Essence Clements. 

“Stanwell has such an amazing reputation,” Essence says. “I have only ever heard positive feedback from current and former employees. It is obvious that all people are treated with respect and care, and starting a traineeship with Stanwell is a huge achievement for me.

“I am excited to learn as much as possible during my traineeship, and I am confident that Stanwell has diverse skill sets and knowledge to offer that I can take on and learn.” 

Noel Ponsamy sees his apprenticeship at Stanwell Power Station as an opportunity to learn lessons that will last a lifetime. 

“I wanted to complete an apprenticeship here at Stanwell because they have a strong reputation for producing quality tradespeople,” he says. “Stanwell have knowledgeable and experienced tradespeople who are willing to pass down their knowledge and experience to their apprentices. It’s a great place to develop lifelong skills to carry through my career as an electrician within the energy generation industry. 

“My main goal is to finish my apprenticeship and have the qualification to start practicing my trade. I hope to learn to be a confident electrician who is capable of tackling any problem and always providing a solution to have any factory, station or site back up and running.” 

TPS Apprentices

Tarong power stations have been providing new members of the workforce in the South Burnett with opportunities to learn and grow for more than 30 years. This year, we welcome seven new team members to Tarong, including mechanical fitter apprentices Jacon Provan and Nateesha Taylor, electrical instrumentation apprentices Isla Airs and Brendon Newman, boilermaker apprentice Brylie Jones, warehousing operations trainee Patreece Rackemann, and business trainee Chloe Chudleigh. 

“I wanted to work at Stanwell because of the inclusive environment on site and the many opportunities within the company,” Chloe says. 

“Throughout this program, I aim to take on every challenge and opportunity that arises. I look forward to performing to the best of my ability in my traineeship and enhance my communication, speaking with confidence and teamwork skills.” 

For Brendon Newman, it was Stanwell’s commitment to safety that set our apprenticeship program apart. 

“I want to work at Stanwell because of the high safety and working standards, and second-to-none apprenticeship program,” he says. 

“During my apprenticeship, I hope to learn as much as possible about electrical procedures and practices carried out at Tarong. I also look forward to gaining the skills required to perform my role here at Tarong.” 

Want to give your career in the energy industry a charge? Expressions of interest can be registered now for our 2022 apprentice and trainee program at Stanwell Power Station and Tarong power stations.