The clean energy transition is building long-term career paths for regional workers.
As the electricity network across NSW is being transformed, so are the career opportunities in regional areas.
The once-in-a-generation upgrade of NSW’s electricity network will deliver affordable, clean and reliable energy for everyone.
It will also deliver real economic benefits including long-term career paths right in residents’ backyards, and opportunities for regional businesses and local manufacturers.
For regional workers like Squadron Energy’s Kacee Milnes, the transition is already creating new career opportunities close to home.
Kacee’s story: A career close to home
Kacee is one of thousands of NSW residents benefiting from the state’s renewable energy transformation.
Five years ago, Kacee, a former mining electrician from Broken Hill, made the change to the renewable energy industry and hasn’t looked back.
Kacee’s interest in renewable energy as a career was piqued when she passed the wind turbines on her regular drives to Adelaide.
“My closest major city [growing up] was Adelaide [which] involved a six-hour drive passing multiple wind farms near Hallett and Burra,” Ms Milnes said.
“I had always found wind turbines fascinating and wanted to make a change to an industry I believed to be kinder to the environment and in a time of major growth.”
Today, Kacee is the operations manager overseeing 37 wind turbines at Squadron Energy’s Crudine Ridge Wind Farm, located just south of Mudgee, NSW.
Projects such as Crudine Ridge are an example of this regional boom; since becoming fully operational, the project has created 240 direct jobs in the surrounding area.
Real jobs in regional communities
The upgrade focuses on ensuring regional workers have the skills needed to design, build and maintain these major projects.
To achieve this, governments, industry and education and training providers are investing in practical, job-based training programs.
This investment is creating jobs, launching new apprenticeships and opening doors for regional businesses and manufacturing.
The NSW Government estimates that the renewable energy rollout will help create around 7,000 direct jobs during peak construction and 4,450 ongoing roles across the state, many located directly within regional areas.
The renewable energy sector is creating opportunities for people from many professional backgrounds.
Technicians and tradespeople such as electricians are needed to build, install and maintain renewable energy infrastructure.
Engineers and site managers will design energy systems and oversee construction.
Site support workers help with tasks including equipment handling and operating machinery.
Corporate roles plan and manage projects, including in finance, procurement, work health and safety, and leadership.
Inspiring the next generation
For Kacee, the shift means doing a job she loves close to home.
It has also provided an environment where she can successfully balance her family and professional life.
“I feel like renewables is definitely the future. I think that’s the way it’s all going now and there’s so much room for growth. It’s the best office in the world,” Ms Milnes said.
“At Crudine Ridge Wind Farm, work-life balance really is a big deal and it shows in how smoothly things run here.
“I’ve got a young family, and honestly, trying to juggle being a mum and a manager can be really tough.
“But the flexibility in my role and the support from the team makes it so much easier.
“It’s the kind of place where everyone’s welcome to get involved and feel like they belong.”
Kacee’s experience provides an example and potential roadmap for students, career changers and tradespeople.
Her advice to others, especially young people and women: consider a career in clean energy.
Ultimately, she hopes her journey helps build a more prosperous, secure future for regional NSW.
“I feel like it’s part of my responsibility to try to motivate and encourage because I didn’t have a lot of role models when I was coming up through the industry,” Ms Milnes said.
“I would love to inspire the next generation to become involved in the industry.”