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Engineering Graduate Development Program

This three-year engineering program gives you rotations every six months working across several different teams in our business. Alongside your professional development courses (see below), our program also enables your day-to-day project work to count towards getting an additional project management qualification.

We pay for your Engineers Australia membership, and we’ll assist you in working towards your Chartered status. You’ll enjoy all the benefits of being a permanent employee too.

Why us?

The electricity industry is changing. As the state’s electricity distributor, SA Power Networks is at the centre of an energy revolution, and is leading the world in the shift to green energy. We’re combining renewable energy sources with sophisticated distribution network systems and technology – so our customers can generate, share and use electricity however they want.

Engineering skills are needed in many areas of our business – it’s not just about building networks. There are many overlaps with other business functions such as innovation, strategy and even finance. The opportunity for growth is vast in a business as large and innovative as ours, including:

  • Renewable energy network integration
  • Data science
  • Data analytics
  • Automation
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Major project design and construction
  • Asset management
  • Protection and control systems engineering
  • Power systems engineering
  • Equipment and network innovation
  • Multidiscipline substation and network design
  • Engineering project management

Top Graduate Employer 2024 logo

SA Power Networks has been
named among Australia's top
graduate employers
 in 2024.

 

What’s included in the program?

The program includes on-the-job technical training, professional development courses, and the option to gain an additional project management qualification. You’ll also benefit from team rotations, mentoring sessions, quarterly graduate focus groups and access to the Graduate Knowledge Hub.

Your professional development journey

Year 1

  • On-the-job technical training
  • Project management qualification
  • Development courses:
    • Diversity & inclusion in the workplace
    • Project management essentials
    • Managing yourself
    • Being an effective team player

Year 2

  • On-the-job technical training
  • Project management qualification
  • Development courses:
    • Document writing essentials
    • Assertiveness at work
    • Creative problem solving
    • Essential negotiation skills

Year 3

  • On-the-job technical training
  • Project management qualification
  • Development courses:
    • Risk management essentials
    • Customer service essentials
    • Running effective meetings
    • Future leaders

What you’ll do

The projects you might be working on are varied and engaging – we are in a period of major transition towards future energy. There is no doubt that this is a very interesting and rewarding time to be joining SA Power Networks.

Meet Emily - Recent Engineering Graduate

Meet Adam - Recent Engineering Graduate

What are the eligibility criteria?

All applicants must:

  • Have completed a Bachelor Degree in a relevant discipline, or are working towards graduating by the time of the program
  • Hold a current Australian driver’s licence (full or probationary)
  • Be willing to undergo pre-employment background checks (including drug and alcohol test), criminal history and driving history checks.

How do I apply?

Applications open in March each year and will be advertised through our Current Vacancies page. If you need any more information please check our FAQs below, read our brochure, or contact our recruitment team.

Frequently Asked Questions

In addition to a competitive annual base salary, we also offer:

  • Up to $900 in electricity reimbursements
  • Enterprise Agreement with annual pay increases and flexible working arrangements
  • 12.5% superannuation contribution (1% more than the government super guarantee)

Applications for our graduate development programs are typically advertised between March and April.  Keep an eye on our Current Vacancies. If no vacancy is listed, use the ‘Search for job’ box at the top of the Current Vacancies page, then click ‘Send me jobs like these’ to receive notifications once applications open.

All applications should be made through our website.

Successful applicants will be invited to complete an online video interview. Shortlisted applicants will then attend an in-person interview.

Before receiving a formal offer, you’ll have a pre-employment medical (including a drug and alcohol test) and a police check.

You will know by July/August if you’ve been accepted onto the program. The program starts in February the following year with a week-long induction.

Most of your rotations will take place in locations across greater metropolitan Adelaide. There may be some regional travel required but the majority of your time will be spent in or near Adelaide.

Engineering graduates are offered a permanent role at SA Power Networks for the duration of the three-year program and are covered by an Enterprise Agreement throughout this time.

At SA Power Networks, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, and proudly support a growing number of female, mature age, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander apprentices. We believe diversity of thinking fosters innovation and delivers better outcomes for our customers, and we value a workforce that matches our diverse community.

Due to our size and diversity we offer many different career pathways. The Graduate Development Program offers some of the broadest experiences as part of your rotations, giving you an outstanding foundation as you develop your career. Following successful completion of the program, many of our graduates are offered positions at SA Power Networks and have gone on to enjoy wonderful careers doing what they love.