Energy partnership sparks students’ interest

In an Australia-wide push to address the demand for a larger power engineering skill base, Curtin University of Technology will receive over $150,000 from the Australian Power Institute (API) in 2007-2008 to fund projects and bursaries for top engineering students.

Phil Southwell, API board member and general manager, strategy and corporate affairs for Western Power, noted that the not-for-profit API is committed to supporting recruitment of top students to meet an ever increasing demand from the energy industry.

“Demand for engineering skills is forecast to grow rapidly to meet the challenges of the electricity and supply industry in an era of climate change,” Southwell said.

“The industry needs 2000 graduates over the next 5 years, which means there is a current shortfall of 1000 graduates. Also, ‘baby boomers’ choosing to retire from the industry, is further exacerbating the situation.”

The bursaries, which were jointly hosted by Western Power and awarded by Western Power general manager Mark de Laeter, will not only provide each student with $8000 over a four-year period, but will also offer work experience and vacation employment.

“Increasing the number and quality of power engineering graduates is a key priority for Western Power. The ‘war’ on talent across the engineering industries in WA is a classic case of supply and demand. Western Power is focused on nurturing, growing and retaining talent in the industry,” de Laeter said.

Professor Syed Islam, head of electrical and computer engineering, and chair professor of electrical power engineering, is pleased with API’s commitment to the industry and commented on Curtin’s efforts to support the power engineering industry.

“We are keen to develop partnerships in the power industry and ensure we produce ‘work ready’ graduates who are able to talk to customers as well as understand the technical aspects of their jobs,” Islam said.

‘Curtin will also provide two short courses in power engineering in WA, to further enhance the skills of the power engineering workforce.’