Mackay tradie Jack Briscoe now selling solar power to mines

Mackay tradie Jack Briscoe now works for a company focused on renewable energy, including selling solar products to the mines.

Mackay tradie Jack Briscoe is at the forefront of Australia’s clean energy future, showing how renewables and mining can work together.

The local business he works for, Linked Grouped Services, has been making a switch from largely providing electrical contractors to mining companies to now being majority focused on renewable energy, including selling solar products to the mines.

Mr Briscoe started with Linked Group Services four and a half years ago, starting with a focus on mining services, but has since added expertise in solar to his skills.

Mackay tradie Jack Briscoe Picture: Michaela Harlow

Completing his apprenticeship with the company to become a licenced electrical fitter mechanic just over a month ago, Mr Briscoe said having experience in renewables as well as the mines expanded his career opportunities.

“It’s the best way to go with a little bit of experience in an extra field, you can gauge where you want to be,” he said.

“Renewables is the way the world is going at the moment.

“I think it’s heading in the right direction. Everything we do in the field is on the cutting edge of it.”

Linked Group Services managing director Jason Sharam said the business had a foot in both camps, having transitioned from 80 per cent of the revenue being from mining and mining services to now 80 per cent coming from renewables.

It manufactures products like solar carports, like a shade cloth but using solar panels, hybrid solar-diesel generators among other products.

Linked Group Services managing director Jason Sharam. Picture: Supplied

“The reality is we’re going to keep digging resources for manufacturing for some time,” Mr Sharam said.

“It may not be coal, but we’ll still be digging for minerals for batteries.

“We need to have both industries here, and health in a global market to ensure our prosperity as a country.

“It’s about integration of renewable jobs into the mining sector.”

For more on this series go to: www.missionzero2050.com.au

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Originally published as Mackay tradie Jack Briscoe now selling solar power to mines