Who is Transpower?
Transpower is the State Owned Enterprise that plans, builds, maintains and operates New Zealand’s high voltage electricity transmission network – the National Grid – which links generators to distribution companies and major industrial users. The grid, which extends from Kaitaia in the North Island down to Tiwai Point in the South Island, transports electricity throughout New Zealand.
SYSTEM OPERATOR 24/7
In its role as System Operator, Transpower manages the real-time operation of New Zealand’s electricity system. The System Operator keeps the right amount of energy flowing – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Electricity flow on the National Grid is controlled from our two control centres located in Wellington and Hamilton.
The System Operator also manages the wholesale electricity market. Transpower does not own the electricity but provides a co-ordination service to the electricity industry whereby it schedules the production of electricity from all power stations, monitors the entire network and ensures the security of the New Zealand electricity system.
Penny Chapman - Recent Transpower Engineering Graduate
Applications opening again in April 2012
Our Graduate Programme
Our Programmes are designed to provide you with the best possible start to your career. Whether you’re selected for either the Undergraduate or Graduate programme you can look forward to practical, ‘on the job’ training, exposure to various Trasnpower teams, and placements with our service providers and engineering consultants to gain a complete understanding of the industry.
Engineering Graduate Programme
The Engineering Graduate Development Programme supports university engineering undergraduates, as well as providing on-the-job training for engineering graduates. The programme is ideal for electrical engineers looking to focus on power systems engineering and also mechanical and civil engineers.
How our programme works
Our graduate program supports university engineering and business undergraduates, as well as providing on-the-job training for graduates.
The programme will work as follows:
- Transpower employs engineering undergraduates on fixed-term employment agreements subject to satisfactory academic results and progress.
- Transpower provides funding to cover course fees and also provides paid holiday work to meet undergraduates’ degree practical requirements, either directly or with Transpower’s service providers.
- Upon successful completion of their fourth study year and satisfactory performance in holiday work, graduates will become permanent employees of Transpower.
- Graduate engineers will be rotated through a number of areas within Transpower and, as necessary, through short-term secondments to other organisations to gain experience, including, as appropriate:
- general orientation to Transpower and the electricity market
- exposure to policies, codes, standards and so on that underpin system operation/security
- wholesale energy market and System Operator tools
- transmission system modelling and post-disturbance analysis
- transmission planning and investment processes
- transmission line design, construction and maintenance
- transmission asset management strategies, practices and applications
- contract management, inspection and testing
- power generation (physical operation), wholesale electricity trading and market operations
- distribution network operation and maintenance.
- The programme includes regular progress reviews with the programme managers, in addition to relationships with line managers.
- The programme managers will take a personal interest in the professional development and career prospects of the graduate and help the graduate to build confidence in achieving their goals.
- Transpower has received endorsement from the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) that the systems and procedures we have in place support our employees in their career development.
Engineering undergraduates and graduates in Transpower’s Graduate Development Programme will have their progress monitored by a programme co-ordinator, who will:
- identify and develop undergraduate and graduate training requirements
- liaise with summer work providers and arrange suitable undergraduate placements
- set up and run induction programmes for new graduates
- maintain individual training records.
Bridget Bourke
After completing a Bachelor of Engineering (hons) majoring in Mechanical Engineering in 2008, Bridget Bourke chose Transpower to kick-start her career. She joined the Graduate Programme in January 2009 and says she has definitely learnt a lot since.
“The company is so big with such a vital role in New Zealand’s power industry and with so much going on I knew that I was entering a career in an exciting industry with so many opportunities for a young engineer.”
Bridget says she has been particularly impressed with the training she has been given during her time at Transpower.
“I’ve attended line design courses in Brisbane, Christchurch and Sydney as well as a practical training course at the Omaka Training Centre.
“The week I spent at Omaka was a major highlight for me. We spent a lot of time out on the towers and poles, putting theory into practice and getting hands-on experience. The training covered pole and tower climbing, and working through practicalities such as hoisting gear and ladders up the structures, and learning techniques on compressing joints, earthing, replacing insulator strings and applying armour rods.”
As part of the programme Bridget has appreciated the chance to work in different departments within Transpower.
“I think the broad exposure to a variety of work is very important in helping to establish a strong foundation in the industry, particularly as a graduate, where most things are new to me and I am looking to learn as much as possible,” she says.
“One of the other things I have really enjoyed is getting out and about and visiting places in New Zealand I haven’t been to before. It’s great to be able to get close up to our assets after doing all the theory and learning at university.”
Cameron McKay
Cameron McKay started work at Transpower during his summer holidays to gain work experience for his Bachelor of Engineering (hons) majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He says it was a great chance to get to know the company and complete his degree requirement at the same time.
“I found the people extremely knowledgeable, passionate and keen to pass on their knowledge,” says Cameron. “Transpower encourages its employees to get out of the office and onto site. I was encouraged to go into the field and spend time with contractors and consultants working on the transmission lines.”
Cameron started his permanent role in November 2008 and since then has worked in many different areas of the business including maintenance, engineering support, grid planning and various major projects.
“The opportunity to rotate around different areas of the business to find the one that suited best was a major attraction of the Transpower Graduate Programme. Having my university fees paid for, summer work and a job to go to when I finished university were also all major draw cards!”
Currently a member of the Northern Grid Alliance project team responsible for building New Zealand’s first 400 kV capable transmission line, Cameron says the best thing about working at Transpower is the opportunity to grow and learn.
“Transpower has provided me with a wide range of work experiences and learning opportunities. There is great support for the graduate programme from management and a real drive within the company to work not only on technical skills, but team and management skills as well.”
And his advice to aspiring graduates? “If you are the kind of person who wants to get a hands on view of the world, see the country and learn from the best in the business then this programme is for you.
“I have always wanted to ‘build big things’ that’s why I became an engineer. And now here I am, doing it, living that dream!”
Benefits of working at Transpower
Thanks to the nature and scale of our planned transmission projects, there’ll be no shortage of opportunities for you to step up and truly succeed. The variety, hands on, involvement and industry – wide exposure you’ll gain at Transpower will help you choose the path that’s right for you, and grow to become an expert in that field.
Learn from the best ... and work alongside them.
Transpower is home to some of our industry’s foremost experts -highly experienced, hugely intelligent individuals whose knowledge is here to be shared with you. And you’ll not only listen and learn from these people - you’ll be actively involved in projects with them, right from day one. We know that our more experienced people will learn a lot from you too!
World-class power systems
Transpower’s management and operation of the National Grid is underpinned by world-class power systems and transmission line engineering skills, and we have an ongoing requirement for people with high levels of these skills.
We recognise that our most valuable asset is our people and we’re dedicated to encouraging learning and innovation from all of them. We strive to be an employer of choice by providing a positive working environment and a range of health and wellbeing benefits.
For us, looking after our people is just as important as looking after the National Grid. That’s why when you join us as a permanent employee, you’ll be eligible for an impressive range of employee benefits, including:
- A competitive salary
- Income protection and medical insurance
- Performance incentive scheme
- Up to 4% KiwiSaver contribution
- Volunteer, recreation and corporation days
- Lifestyle leave.
The Transpower Mentor programme is offered to graduates to:
- Support their transition into Transpower
- Provide guidance on planning and achieving their development goals and career aspirations
- Foster meaningful relationships with other, more experienced members of the Transpower team.
Join Us
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