What it does: Maintains the network that powers SA
Staff stats: 2,200
The good bits: Professional development opportunities
The not so good bits: Negativities (post-blackouts) by the media
Hiring grads with degrees in: Engineering, IT & Computer Sciences
SA Power Networks is South Australia’s sole electricity distributor. It delivers electricity from substations through approximately 87,500km of powerlines to 900,000 homes and businesses. It’s remit also includes: providing emergency response in the event of storms, bushfires and blackouts and also repairing street lighting.
Like many of its counterparts throughout Australia, the South Australian Government opted to sell off the ‘poles and wires’ component of its electricity network during the 1990s. SA Power Networks is now 51 per cent owned by the Hong Kong-based Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings with (Australian company) Spark Infrastructure accounting for the remaining 49 per cent.
Though now in private hands, SA Power Networks remains under stringent government oversight. It’s licensed by the South Australian Government and regulated by the Australian Energy Regulator and Essential Services Commission of South Australia. It’s required to maintain certain minimum service standards.
SA Power Networks as an equal opportunity employer with a strong diversity focus is proudly supporting a growing number of females, mature age, aboriginal and torres strait islander employees. They are committed to an inclusive workplace and offers flexible working arrangements.
As a SA Power Networks staffer, you’ll literally be keeping the state’s lights on. Plus, you’ll be doing it an environmentally responsible manner. The company recycles much of its waste, partners with councils to preserve native vegetation, embraces pollution control measures and has an ongoing commitment to minimising its greenhouse gas emissions.
Staff have the opportunity to get involved in the SA Power Networks Employee Foundation. This was established in 2006 to “enable employees, [and] their families and friends, to make a positive contribution to the lives of the people in our community”. The Foundation raises money for a number of South Australian charities and by the end of 2019 the Employee Foundation had donated $3 million to the various charity organisations.
SA Power Networks sponsors South Australian baseball, netball and soccer teams. It also helps fund the Adelaide Fringe Festival, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, the Helpmann Academy and organisations such as Asthma SA and YWCA of Adelaide.
SA Power Networks seeks to hire grads who have initiative, strong interpersonal skills, high motivation, a commitment to safety, a passion to succeed and who are critical, analytical thinkers and team players.
The company offers two grad programs – an engineering graduate development program and an IT program. They also offer a 12-week-long ‘Engineering Vacation Program’ for engineering students in their penultimate year of their degree. (Targeting civil, electrical, electronic, mechanical, mechatronic or structural engineering.)
The grad programs are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents.
The engineering grad program prepares you for a “rewarding career” with an innovative electricity distributor. One that is “shaping the future of energy distribution” by “incorporating renewable energy sources with sophisticated distribution network systems and technology so customers can generate, share or use electricity when, where and how they want”.
The program offers “courses and workshops that focus on developing knowledge, skills and leadership capabilities”. You’ll also be “able to broaden your experience and understanding of our business through rotations across a range of diverse and various area”. At these sites, you’ll be given “challenging and practical work [and be] supported by experienced leaders and coaches”.
The IT graduate program works much like the engineering one. The main difference is IT grads focus on installing, maintaining and updating the technology that underlies and complements the company’s sophisticated distribution networks. (You will need an IT or IT-related degree to be eligible for this program).
The recruitment process for the grad programs begins by making an online application, which will involve uploading your CV and academic transcript. The IT programs recruitment process includes an assessment centre. The final stage is an interview with SA Power Networks representatives. You will be required to do a pre-employment medical and undergo background checks before receiving a formal offer.
All employees of SA Power Networks are well remunerated and receive many additional benefits including annual electricity discounts. Graduates are covered under the company’s Enterprise Agreement which also specifies the flexible working arrangements, 10.5% paid Superannuation and annual pay increases over CPI.
SA Power Networks offer “exceptional” personal and professional development opportunities. The company is one of South Australia’s largest employers and can, therefore “offer a range of career opportunities – from technical and engineering positions through to management and administration roles”.
The company has a dedicated Training Services department, which offers technical training. It also offers “a range of leadership development programs, safety training, IT training and educational opportunities”. New grads are enrolled in an award winning mentoring program and undertake interactive online training courses to help them fulfil their potential.
“A great place to work that delivers great results,” is how SA Power Networks describes its culture. It’s a great place to work because staff are “active participants in problem-solving and identifying new business opportunities” and will be recognised when contributing to “business improvements”. The company also encourages employees to innovate in the workplace, confident they can “develop new ways for us to perform even better”.
"Electricity is the lifeblood of our community. But the way we make and use our electricity is changing and that’s providing exciting new career opportunities in the energy sector.
We’re incorporating renewable energy sources with sophisticated distribution network systems and technology so customers can generate, share or use electricity when, where and how they want.
Shaping the future of energy distribution means we have exciting and challenging career opportunities for graduates, and we’re looking for talented and innovative people to help continue our leadership in energy services.
We regularly recruit a diverse range of graduate professionals and, because of the size and complexity of our business, we have all sorts of challenging opportunities.
We offer an award-winning graduate program where participants are personally supported and mentored, helping fast track their knowledge, development and career.
Our Graduate Development Program (three years for engineers and two years for other disciplines) offers a permanent role on completion with unmatched opportunities in:
We are serious about equal opportunity for people of diverse backgrounds, ensuring everyone can thrive in a highly supportive environment.
So why not put yourself in power – with SA Power Networks.
For further information go to our website."