About 37 electrical apprentices are expected to graduate into full time work on the Mid-North Coast over the next four years, working as part of Essential Energy’s frontline emergency response, Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams said today.
Mrs Williams said Essential Energy had also begun its recruitment campaign for an extra 59 apprentices across regional NSW.
“We expect that 11 of these new apprentices will be based on the north coast, including Port Macquarie,” Mrs Williams said.
“So this means jobs for new apprentices and jobs for graduating apprentices.
“These new electricity workers will help maintain our frontline capability to keep our electricity supply safe and reliable.
“They will be living and working in our region.”
The news comes after a briefing organised by Mrs Williams between the state’s new electricity chiefs and representatives of the Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce.
“I invited the Interim CEO of Networks NSW Vince Graham and the Chief Operating officer at Essential Energy Gary Humphreys to talk to local businesses about what is being done to take the pressure of electricity prices off our homes and businesses,” she said.
“Over the past four years the average annual household electricity bill in regional NSW has increased by almost $600 and a typical business bill has risen by almost $2000 — just to cover the costs for the electricity network.
“This means that a typical household is now paying $1,150 and a typical small business almost $4,000 a year, to build, operate and maintain the electricity network.
“These sorts of price increases clearly cannot continue,” Mrs Williams said.
“I’m pleased to report that good progress is being made. Duplication between the two city based networks and Essential Energy is being removed, unnecessary spending cut and capital programs reviewed for greater efficiency.
“Families and businesses in Port Macquarie paid about $35 million last financial year to help run the electricity network.
“We cannot afford for this figure to blow out any further if we want to contain electricity price rises and help boost regional employment.”
Mrs Williams said Essential Energy employed about 1,000 people in the Port Macquarie region.
“Vince and Gary have both assured me that everything is being done to maximise regional job opportunities while this reform takes place.
“This includes exploring options to run the management of the state’s electricity network road fleet here in Port Macquarie.
“I’m very pleased to see the positive results so far from that commitment to our region.”
“The NSW Government’s reform of electricity network businesses would fund $400 million worth of rebates to families and low income households struggling to pay their electricity bills,” Mrs Williams said.
