Downer has welcomed very first cohort of High Voltage (HV) Transmission Apprentices – who will be joining its Power Projects team in 2025.
Downer said that its HV Transmission Apprenticeship Program is the first of its kind in Australia and was developed to help meet the growing pipeline of critical energy infrastructure projects it is delivering for customers across Australia.
Downer has partnered with registered training organisation, Ergon Energy (Energy Queensland), to deliver the required on-the-job and off-site learning. At the completion of the four-year program, Downer’s apprentices will graduate with the highly sought-after Trade Certificate III in Powerline Transmission Construction, enabling them to work on major MHV (132kV+) transmission projects anywhere in Australia.
Downer General Manager Lines, Paul Robinson, congratulated the incoming apprentices following their first onboarding session, which took place at Downer’s Milton office in Brisbane in late January 2025 .
“Downer’s transmission team is world-class, with a wealth of knowledge and experience from delivering major HV transmission projects across Australia,” he said.
“The core focus of the apprenticeship is to gain the required skills and experience needed to safely and competently string HV transmission lines.
“This also includes gaining experience in assembly and erection of HV transmission structure and acquiring high demand licenses such as Dogging (RB), Rigging (RB or RI) and Elevated Work Platforms (WP).
Almost 1000 applicants expressed an interested in joining Downer as part of its first HV Transmission apprentice intake. Following a highly competitive recruitment process, eight successful candidates were selected and are now ready to embark on their trade journey at Downer.
“Many of the industry’s best and brightest started their careers at Downer, so we’re thrilled to help support our next generation of future power industry leaders.
“I wish our first round of HV Transmission Apprentices every success and look forward to staying connected as they complete their apprenticeship over the next four years at Downer,” Mr Robinson said.
