Career pathways

MEET COURTNEY

My name’s Courtney and I’m an Electrical Trade Technician at Powerlink. If you’re keen on a career that’s hands-on, technical, and makes a real impact, let me give you a glimpse into what I do. 

Every morning, I head out with my team, maintaining the critical infrastructure that keeps the lights on for families and businesses across Queensland. 

There’s a real sense of pride in being part of something so important to Queenslanders.  

What being an Electrical Trade Technician is like 

Our work is varied and challenging: some days we’re out in the field troubleshooting faults or fixing equipment, other days we’re climbing to inspect gear at heights or working in tight spaces. It’s the hands-on aspect that I love – solving problems as they come up and always learning something new.

Safety is at the core of everything we do. We work outdoors in all conditions and follow strict safety protocols because our work can be in high-risk environments. Our teams might be doing high voltage switching one day or performing thermoscanning on substation gear the next. Teamwork is essential – you’re never on your own, and good communication with your crew keeps everyone safe and gets the job done right. 

What you need FOR this role 

Being an Electrical Trade Technician means I’m part of a team that maintains, repairs, and operates high voltage plant and equipment, making sure everything works as it should. 

One thing you should know is that this job isn’t always nine-to-five. We travel the whole state and spend lots of nights away from home, especially when there’s major work to be done. It can be tough to balance with personal commitments but, for me, the challenge and sense of adventure make it worthwhile.

As an electrical trade apprentice with Powerlink, you will complete a Certificate III in Electrotechnology as your trade qualification, as well as obtain a heavy rigid (HR) driver’s licence and certifications like First Aid and CPR. 

Powerlink supported me to develop my skills through real-world experience, working alongside technical fault management teams, engineers, and other specialists to keep our substations running safely and efficiently.

As someone who thrives on a challenge, values teamwork, and wants to keep learning as technology advances, I feel like this role is perfect for me. 

If you’re ready for a career where you’ll learn heaps and be hands-on in keeping our state powered – this might be a career path for you. 

Learn more about becoming an Electrical Trade Technician. 

If you like the sound of a trade pathway, but prefer spending time indoors working on electronic equipment and devices? Check out our Communications and Control Specialist pathway.

MEET LEANNE

I’m Leanne and I’m Team Leader for the Power Systems Controllers. If you’re interested in a career that is both challenging and rewarding, you should hear what my day-to-day is really like. Every day, I work at the heart of Queensland’s electricity transmission network, helping to keep our power system stable and secure. 

I work in a critical operating environment, monitoring Queensland's transmission network in real-time to provide electricity across the state. 

What being a Power Systems Operations Leader is like

What I love most about my job is that no two days are ever the same. My role involves watching data streams, monitoring alerts and system performance and coordinating safe switching and maintenance on the transmission network. 

If you enjoy problem-solving, love a challenge, thrive on making critical decisions and are keen to keep learning as technology evolves, this could be a career possibility for you.

To be a Power Systems Operations Leader, you are required to complete an Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering, plus have specialised training in Energy Management Systems. Choosing physics and a challenging maths subject at school helped prepare me too.

Powerlink invests heavily in our training so we’re well-prepared to make the right decisions, especially when things get tricky. 

What you need for this role 

You need to be detail-oriented, resilient and confident in your technical knowledge of transmission systems. 

Staying focused and vigilant is key – we’re dealing with a mission-critical environment, and our team’s decisions can have a huge impact on the reliability of electricity. 

Communication is also important. Coordinating with field crews and other subject matter experts keeps everyone safe and the network running smoothly.

This career path could be for you if you like the idea of being in the driver’s seat of Queensland’s electricity transmission.

Check out Powerlink’s apprenticeships and see how you can start your journey into a career that keeps our state powered and your future bright. 

Learn more about Apprenticeships at Powerlink 

Meet Guhan

I’m Guhan, and I’m a Manager for Substation Design. If you’re someone who loves a challenge and thrives on bringing people together to get things done, then project management might be the career path for you.

What being a Project Manager is like

Every day, my job is about making sure big, complex projects run like clockwork - from the first spark of an idea, through to the finished outcome. 

I’m responsible for making sure we meet all our targets, whether that’s keeping a project on schedule, staying within budget, or making sure we deliver to the highest quality and safety standards. It’s up to me to balance all the moving parts - scope, time, cost, resources, communications, and risks - keeping everything on track and within budget.

One of the most exciting parts of my role is being the bridge between our project sponsors - those who set the vision - and our delivery teams who make it all happen. I work with people from all sorts of backgrounds, across different teams and even other companies, to make sure we’re all heading in the same direction. It’s a fast-paced environment, with a lot of variety and collaboration with really diverse teams.  

What motivates me most is seeing a project come to life - knowing I’ve played a part in delivering something safe, valuable, and on time that really makes a difference for Queenslanders. Building strong relationships and working closely with stakeholders is crucial, and I'm inspired by finding better, smarter ways to deliver projects. 

Innovation and continuous improvement aren’t just buzz words here; they’re what keep us moving forward. And seeing the tangible outcomes at the end is very rewarding! 

Of course, the job isn’t without its challenges. Sometimes, I have to make tough calls when priorities shift unexpectedly. Managing risks and adapting to changes is also part of the job, but that’s exactly what keeps it interesting. 

Being organised, thinking analytically, and staying solutions-focused helps me steer projects through to completion. 

What you need for this role

To get started in this career, you’ll usually need a bachelor’s degree in project management, engineering, or something similar. Studying maths and physics at school provided me with a great platform for further study.  

In my role, I develop project proposals that meet our sponsors’ needs, put together detailed Project Management Plans, manage relationships with our teams and partners, run tenders, and keep a close eye on contracts to make sure we’re delivering exactly what we promised.

If you’re a good communicator, thrive on teamwork, and enjoy solving problems, project management could be a great career for you. Don’t be afraid to explore what’s out there - your journey could start right now. Check out different pathways, ask questions, and see how you could play a key part in powering our state’s energy future. 

Learn more about Powerlink's Graduate programs

Meet Dani

I’m Dani, one of the engineers at Powerlink. Ever wondered how Queensland’s lights stay on? Let me take you inside my world as an Engineer. My role is all about keeping Powerlink’s high voltage transmission network running safely, reliably and efficiently - making sure power flows right across the state. 

What being an Engineer is like 

Every day is different in my role. Primary Systems is where high voltage plant, transmission lines and underground cables all come together. 

But that’s not all - I also work on Secondary Systems, including protection relays, control systems, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition; that’s the tech that keeps an eye on the network in real-time), telecommunications, and metering. 

There’s so much variety in my days, one morning I might be out in the field with our team, commissioning a new system or troubleshooting a complex fault, and by the afternoon, I’ll be back at my desk analysing data and ensuring everything meets Australia’s strict safety and regulatory standards.

Knowing that my work makes a real difference to the security of Queensland’s transmission network.  Every problem I solve - whether it’s a critical decision during a network outage or designing smarter control systems - brings its own rewards. 

I love getting stuck into technical challenges, building deep expertise in transmission systems, and constantly learning as technology evolves. There’s a real sense of teamwork too, as I collaborate with both technical and operational teams to get the best outcomes for our state.

This job does come with its fair share of challenges. Sometimes, I have to make tough calls during emergencies or outages, balancing the need to restore power quickly with keeping everyone safe and following strict electricity rules. 

Other times, I need to juggle field work with reporting and compliance or keep pace with new tech and changing standards. That variety is exactly what keeps me learning and makes every day fascinating.

What you need for this role 

To get started in this career, you’ll need a degree in Engineering. At Powerlink, we offer a wide range of pathways for students to get real-world experience while they study, through high school work experience placements, undergraduate programs and our award-winning Graduate Program. 

If you love problem-solving, have an eye for detail, enjoy working as part of a team, and can keep calm under pressure, engineering could be the perfect career fit for you and I encourage you to explore the engineering pathway further. 

Ask questions, seek out work experience, and see how you could help power Queensland’s future. Your journey can start today - and who knows, maybe one day I’ll be welcoming you to the team! 

Learn more about Powerlink's Graduate Program

Meet Johnny

I’m Johnny, a Communications and Control Specialist. I help to maintain and operate the systems that keep our state’s network connected and secure. Every minute, every day, our control systems - including SCADA (that’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), protection signalling, and digital communications - work together to make sure electricity flows reliably to homes and businesses. 

What being a Communications and Control Specialist is like 

What gets me up in the morning is knowing I help keep Queensland's electricity running - not just by maintaining critical infrastructure, but by driving innovation in how we control, automate and monitor the transmission network. The technology is constantly evolving, and it’s exciting to be at the forefront, ensuring our systems are not only reliable but also secure against cyber threats.

Whether I’m upgrading a legacy system, troubleshooting a complex fault in the field, or configuring the latest control equipment in the office, there’s always something new to learn and solve. 

One of the biggest challenges is balancing old and new technologies - integrating what’s been around for decades with cutting-edge digital systems. Cybersecurity is also a huge part of the job, as we work hard to protect our network against ever-changing risks. 

Some days, I’m deep into design work; other days, I’m out in the field, making sure everything is running smoothly. No two days are ever the same, and I love it!

what you need for this role 

I completed a Communications and Control Apprenticeship at Powerlink and received a Certificate III in Electronics and Communications. For my mandatory study (an Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree) I could choose between Electrical or Electronic Engineering or Telecommunications. 

During an apprenticeship with Powerlink, you’ll be required to step up your study and earn further qualifications, building your expertise while learning on the job. Apprenticeships are designed to give you hands-on experience and the opportunity to grow your career in a real-world environment. 

To be successful in this job, you’ll need sharp analytical skills, attention to detail, and a safety-first approach. Effective communication is also key - especially when the pressure is on, as you’ll be working with both technical and operational teams. 

If you love learning, problem solving, working with equipment and want to help power Queensland’s energy future, this career path could be the perfect fit for you.

Find your opportunity 

If this sounds exciting, I encourage you to ask questions, seek work experience, and explore how you could play a role in keeping Queensland’s lights on. There’s a world of opportunity here, and your journey can start today. Maybe one day, I’ll get to welcome you to the team as a Communications and Control Specialist!  

Learn more about a Powerlink Apprenticeship

If you like the sound of a trade pathway but prefer spending time outdoors. Check out our Substation Trade Technician pathway.

MEET CHRISTY

I’m Christy, and I work as a Cultural Heritage Officer at Powerlink. Every day, I have the privilege of standing at the intersection of culture, community, and progress, ensuring the rich traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are respected and protected as we help build Queensland’s energy future.

What being a Cultural Heritage Officer is like 

I work closely with Traditional Owners, acting as a bridge between their communities, our organisation, and the contractors on the ground. By advocating for the protection of sacred and culturally significant sites, I help ensure that as Powerlink rolls out new projects or maintains existing ones, we care for Country and respect its stories. 

What motivates me most is the chance to be a voice for cultural heritage protection and to foster respect for Traditional Owners. 

Building genuine relationships and partnerships with communities allows me to see firsthand the positive impact we can have when we listen, learn, and work together. Every day is an opportunity to drive cultural awareness within Powerlink, supporting reconciliation and ensuring all voices are heard and valued. 

Of course, the work comes with its challenges. Sometimes, project timelines are tight, and I have to balance getting the job done with taking the time needed for thorough consultation. Managing the expectations of everyone involved—from our own teams to external partners and Traditional Owners—keeps me busy. I always make sure that cultural protocols and relationships are respected, even in fast-moving environments.

What you need for this role 

If you’re curious about how to get into this field, you’ll want to study Cultural Heritage Management, Indigenous Studies, Archaeology, or a related area. A degree or diploma is a great start, and cultural competency training is essential. 

In my role, I oversee compliance for all sorts of project activities, help write important planning documents, and run cultural awareness training for our teams and contractors. I also respond to any unexpected discoveries of cultural heritage, making sure everything is handled with care and respect. 

To be a Cultural Heritage Officer, it’s important to have strong understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories. 

Clear communication, showing empathy, and building strong relationships are skills I use every single day. Attention to detail is crucial too—our work must always meet strict legislative and ethical standards. 

Find your opportunity

At Powerlink, we’re dedicated to building respectful and inclusive relationships with First Nations peoples. We honour culture, protect heritage, and work towards creating shared opportunities for a sustainable future. 

If you’re passionate about making a real difference, keen to learn, and excited about protecting Australia’s cultural legacy, I encourage you to consider this career path. Maybe one day, I’ll get to welcome you as a Cultural Heritage Officer!