“Even when I was an apprentice, I always said I’d emigrate. When I saw the ENERGEX ad in the local paper and checked out the website, I thought it’s now or never.

The reason I went for it was that ENERGEX is a government-run company. After seventeen years working for an equivalent company in the UK and with a family to support, a big plus for me was the job security.

I was impressed with the help they gave us before we arrived – the ENERGEX HR team bent over backwards to help us get over here and start our new life in Australia as permanent residents.

ENERGEX is very hot on safety, so although they acknowledged my experience, they put me through a five-week new starter course and I did some training in the field with the guys I was going to be working with. With my linesperson experience, I picked it up pretty quick.

ENERGEX has a real multi-cultural mix with guys from South Africa, Canada and the UK and there’s a really good atmosphere. There are lots of social occasions where you can take your boots off and kick back with your work mates. In fact, just recently Safety threw a BBQ to celebrate 12 months with no injuries.

With just the four of you on a team, you develop a good camaraderie and although we enjoy a good laugh, we’re always safe at work and look out for each other.

The networks are similar to what I was used to in the UK, but you do a lot more live work here because the weather is a lot better. The weather makes it for me – not just for working life but for family life too.

I’ve been on switching, control and LV courses and I’ve just finished a 12-week live line course so now I’m back to the level I was in the UK, which is where I wanted to be. Going back to the live line is a big perk for me.“

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