Partnering with private training establishments such as Connexis, MITA Consulting, Lines and Cables and Skills Trades Training, our trainees must achieve unit standards as they move through the training programme to become qualified in one of the five following roles:

• Line Mechanic Distribution
• Line Mechanic Transmission
• Cable Jointer
• Arborist
• Electrical Fitter

To guide our trainees, we established a pastoral care framework to support and guide them through to graduation. This includes close supervision of progress through the learning aspect of their journey, providing assistance and encouragement, as well as other practical help in terms of acquiring specific PPE such as prescription safety glasses or connecting them with community organisations that provide services such as assisting people with getting their driver’s licences.

In 2023, Northpower was awarded a $1.5 million contract with Kānoa – Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit through its Provincial Growth Fund to bring 40 trainees into the business from Northland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Some of the trainees graduated in last year’s cohort.

The success of the trainee programmes set us up with exceptional talent in the organisation. We are excited to be part of the careers of our trainees, giving them a positive start in the energy industry.

Ezekiel Bidois discovered his interest in Northpower’s cadetship while attending Hamilton Boys’ High School, where he signed up to the Trades Academy, which is a high-school programme that supports students to gain trade qualifications. Through the Trades Academy he was exposed to different apprenticeships, sparking his interest in the electricity industry. Motivated by the practical nature of the work and the opportunity to pursue a practical career, he joined the programme in 2020 and graduated from the Level 2 Electricity Supply (Introductory) qualification in December 2020. This led to a role as an electrical fitter at our Hamilton depot, where he began working within the transmission substation team, developing skills in maintaining equipment and learning about the electricity network. Through this experience, he has continued to build his knowledge and capability, illustrating how the cadetship set the foundation for his career at Northpower.

Jayden Himiona

Jayden Himiona’s interest in the electrical industry began with the goal of becoming an electrician. While completing a pre-trade programme at NorthTec, he was introduced to the role of a line mechanic through a conversation with a friend’s dad, sparking his curiosity about the electricity distribution field. Although he initially had limited knowledge of what the role involved, his existing passion for the electricity industry motivated him to pursue the opportunity, and his interest continued to grow once he began working. He joined Northpower and developed a strong enthusiasm for all aspects of powerline work, which has driven his success to date. Through this experience, he has completed his line mechanic qualification and gained additional certifications, including a Class 2 heavy vehicle license, crane operation, and working at heights. He has now progressed to a Design Estimator role. He is building his knowledge by studying towards a Diploma in Electrical Engineering, which he is on track to complete within the next few years.

Zinzan Hawkins developed an interest in the electrical industry while studying electrical work at NorthTec, where his curiosity about the field began to grow. Prior to joining Northpower’s cadetship, he had limited knowledge of the line mechanic role, but encouragement from his uncle, who works as an Electrician at Northpower, motivated him to pursue this career pathway. Drawn to the unique aspects of the role, including working at heights, operating in hazardous environments, and undertaking technical underground work, he joined the programme and began developing his skills in the industry. Through this experience, he has since completed his line mechanic qualification and progressed into a Junior Design Estimator role. Northpower is supporting him to study towards a Level 6 Diploma in Electrical Engineering.

Moana – Transmission Electrical Fitter

Moana Purser first became open to a career in the electrical industry after attending a career event, where she discovered Skill Trades Training (then known as ETCO) offering an electrician apprenticeship programme. It seemed like an interesting prospect, and after having doubts about whether university was the right path for her, she chose to apply. She was placed with Northpower and was quickly drawn to the learning-by-doing nature of the work. Motivated by the practical experience and variety in the role offered, she decided to continue pursuing a career in the high-voltage electrical field. During her apprenticeship, she developed valuable skills and gained many unique experiences, including being part of building substations from the ground up, maintaining substations, and repairing a variety of equipment. Through this experience, she has come to appreciate the diversity of the work, people, and locations, reinforcing that this career path was the right choice for her.