Published in Energy News
Adelia Hallett
Tue, Oct 8 2024
A plan to entice young people into the energy sector before they leave school has kicked off with visits to the Huntly and Karapiro power stations and the new hydrogen refuelling station at Wiri.
And most of the 18 students – from Kelston Girls’ and Avondale colleges in Auckland – had no idea that a career in energy was a possibility, organisers say.
Young Energy Professionals Network co-chair Esther Tomkinson – a sustainability and strategy analyst at Mercury – says that’s a common story.
Accident
“Most people fall into the energy sector,” she told Energy News. “They get a job by accident and end up staying.”
Tomkinson expects many of the students – especially those in year 13 – will move into the sector as a result of the visits.
“They loved it,” she said, “and those who are close to making decisions about their future are seriously looking at the sector.”
Tomkinson and co-chair Elliott Powell, who’s head of development in New Zealand at energy and commodity group Mercuria, say breaking down the barriers between schools and the sector is essential to address a looming workforce shortage.
“At school, we had accountancy companies and the police talking to us,” Tomkinson said. “I had no idea about energy.”
With international reports highlighting the under-participation of women and minorities in the energy sector, Tomkinson was particularly pleased to see 10 young women on the pilot programme.
Rolled-out
The organisation hopes to repeat the visits with the same schools and others early next year and to roll the programme out across the country, starting with Wellington and Christchurch.
The programme is supported by Hiringa Energy, Genesis Energy, Mercury and the BusinessNZ Energy Council. Tomkinson would like to see more companies involved.
“There are opportunities for organisations to work with the YEPN to expand the tour and to showcase their company, sites and people,” she said.
School students visit the Karapiro hydro station with the Young Energy Professionals Network.
“We encourage other industry players to get involved in future tours, either through sponsorship or by offering site visits. There’s a real opportunity for companies to help bridge the gap between education and employment, by telling the story of the energy sector, highlighting its significance to the next generation and ensuring that more future applicants seek out the sector rather than relying on chance.”
YEPN, an organisation for people in any part of the sector who have been working for fewer than 15 years, has sponsored 15 young professionals to attend industry conferences this year.