CDU, Power and Water Corporation’s new pilot project to support NT engineers

Charles Darwin University and Power and Water have partnered to deliver specialty skills in the Territory.

A new partnership between Charles Darwin University and the Power and Water Corporation is in the process of delivering the next generation of Territory engineers.

There are about 600 engineering students currently studying at CDU.

The new Power and Water CDU systems control graduate program is a two-year pilot initiative designed specifically for CDU Engineering graduates to prioritise the workforce needs of the Territory and close a crucial skills gap.

CDU and Power Water want the program to develop job-ready graduates through a mix of internships, thesis work for undergraduates, postgraduate and higher-degree-by-research student placements.

CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman

Both CDU and Power Water want the program to retain high-quality graduates in the Territory and, through a structure, training and development program, provide them with the right tools, challenges, skills and hands-on experience to foster technical experts and future leaders.

CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman said he wanted the Pilot Graduate Engineering program to build engineering capability and capacity in the Territory.

“This partnership with Power and Water will open up further doors for our students to develop meaningful careers and help power the Territory,” Professor Bowman said.

“It’s fantastic to see more Territorians choosing to study in fields such as engineering that have growing job demand.”

Power and Water Corporation CEO Djuna Pollard. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

Power and Water Chief Executive Officer Djuna Pollard said the partnership with CDU would help grow local engineering talent in the Territory.

“Our people are our greatest asset and our partnership with CDU will help grow our workforce for the future,” Ms Pollard said.

“This structured training program provides graduates and undergraduates with a great working environment and development experience, and importantly career opportunities that will help retain engineering expertise here in the Territory.

“We’re pleased that our industry peers and CDU’s Renewable Energy Systems Hub partners Territory Generation and Hitachi are also participating by hosting the four graduates.”

In October, CDU announced a record-high demand for workers had prompted it to create Australia’s first fully-remote engineering course.