Two Wagga Wagga-based university students have become the first in New South Wales to join Transgrid under a new cadetship program to provide real-world experience to the next generation of engineers.
Transgrid has awarded cadetships to Charles Sturt University engineering students Alex Price and Imani Dunne who will earn while they learn from experts delivering transmission infrastructure essential to realising Australia’s clean energy transition.
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Transgrid executive general manager of people and culture Stephen McSweeney said, “Transgrid is delighted to expand our partnership with Charles Sturt University. We have already implemented a $2 million scholarship program to support 100 engineering students at the university’s Bathurst campus over seven years and now we are taking our commitment even further.
“This new cadetship program will provide participants with valuable opportunities to develop their skills in a real-world work environment, learn from professionals working on Australia’s largest electricity transmission network, and contribute to nation-critical transmission projects.”
Price and Dunne have started their one-year cadetships with Transgrid, working on major transmission projects HumeLink and EnergyConnect respectively. They recently moved to Wagga Wagga after studying at the university’s Bathurst campus.
Dunne, who also received a $20,000 scholarship from Transgrid last year to support her studies, is keen to learn more about the clean energy transition and make a contribution to such a significant project as EnergyConnect.
“I’m looking forward to developing my skills as an engineer through onsite learning and finding new things to love about working as an engineer that I wouldn’t find studying in a classroom,” she said.
“It’s great that I’ve been given the opportunity to experience what it is like working as an engineer within a large company on a large project.
“I applied for the cadetship program to learn from industry professionals and experts within Transgrid.
“Having done design work within my studies at Charles Sturt University I am very excited to learn more about the construction side of engineering projects as well as the way civil engineering and electrical engineering coincide within the projects.”
Price said he is keen to diversify his skillset as part of the HumeLink team by learning about engineering design to complement his experience in construction engineering.
“Having previously done various civil projects, I am looking forward to delving into the electrical infrastructure side of civil engineering,” he said.
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“I am also excited to experience the opportunity that a larger company provides and develop my engineering and personal skills by learning from the many professionals and experts within Transgrid.”
Transgrid will offer up to five cadetships each year to Charles Sturt University engineering students.
