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Electricity Supply Industry - Generation Sector

Overview

The Generation sector produces electricity for use in industry, business and private homes and is run by large, state-owned or privatised power stations.

According to the Energy Supply Association of Australia, in 2011 electricity generation was provided by the following mix of fuel sources: Black Coal 51%; Brown Coal 24%; Natural Gas 15%; Hydro 7%; Wind 3%; and Oil and others. In response to community demands for more sustainable and clean energy the mix of fuels for electricity generation is moving to renewable sources, which are opening the industry to opportunity and innovation.

What does this industry cover?

Electricity generation plants produce electricity and the plant operations are controlled through a form of computerised communication technology systems.

The main activities of the industry are the operation, maintenance, diagnosis and repair of electricity production plant and equipment in relation to:

Large coal or gas fired steam generation plant
Smaller gas fired steam turbine cogeneration plant
Diesel fired internal combustion engine driven generation plant
Hydro generation plant
Wind driven generation plant

Industry Information

The industry employs over 11,500 people across Fossil Fuel and Renewable energy generation. Although the demand for electricity is expected to increase over the next five years, public concern about the environment represents a significant challenge for the industry.

People working in the sector may be involved in operation of the plant from the control room, local operation of plant systems, management and coordination of unit or station operations, mechanical maintenance, electrical maintenance, and installation of new plant.

Employment and wage data for this industry

Apprenticeships Employment Size

This is a small industry for Australian Apprenticeship commencements. In the year to September 2019, commencements were: 4

Source: VOCSTATS, extracted on 14/04/2020. AATIS analysis.

Commencements Change

Commencements in the year to September 2019 in this industry have remained stable, compared with the previous year.

Source: VOCSTATS, extracted on 14/04/2020. AATIS analysis.

Apprentice Employment Outcomes

For Australian Apprentice graduates from this industry, employment outcomes are high.

Source: NCVER National Student Outcomes Survey, 2017, unpublished. AATIS analysis.

Industry Employment Size

This is a small to medium sized industry compared with other Australian industries.

Source: Department of Education, Skills and Employment, 2019. AATIS analysis.

Industry Employment Change

Over the past 5 years, change in employment in this industry has remained stable.

Source: Department of Education, Skills and Employment, 2019. AATIS analysis.

Industry Wage

The average wage of all employees in this industry is medium to high.

Source: Department of Education, Skills and Employment, 2019. AATIS analysis.

Key Occupations

Unit Controller

Generation Technician

Electrical Fitter (Wind Generation)

This industry is positioned in the following groups

Industry

Electrical, Electronics & Utilities

Work Type

Practical & Manual

Ready to see where Electricity Supply Industry - Generation Sector can take you?

Career Pathways

Electricity Supply Industry - Generation Sector has career pathways from Certificate II through to Diploma. Look at the Job Pathways Chart to see what is of interest.

Job Pathway Charts

MyGain - YouTube Channel

MyGain

Support Services

Apprenticeship Network Provider Finder

Apprenticeship Network providers can give information about starting an apprenticeship or traineeship, eligibility questions, and they also handle the paperwork and ongoing administration of apprentices and trainees.

Group Training Organisations Finder

Group Training Organisations employ apprentices and trainees and then host them out to employers. These organisations can provide great information about starting a career through Australian Apprenticeships.

Work Type Explorer

Search for Job and Training Descriptions by selecting from seven work type descriptions. For more details, take yourself through the Career Interest Explorer.

Further Research

Industry information

Industry information is published by peak level associations, government and major employers. Accessing industry association sites, including member lists, is a good way of building up an understanding of an industry. Visiting employer websites and looking for careers or employment menus helps identify how employers recruit and the skills they are recruiting.

Use Google to search for the associations and organisations listed below.

Industry

Energy Networks Australia
Australian Energy Council
Australian Energy Market Operator
Australian Energy Market Commission

Government

Clean Energy Regulator
REC registry
COAG Energy Council
Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

State regulators

Essential Services Commission of Victoria
Essential Services Commission of South Australia
Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission of ACT
Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of NSW
Economic Regulation Authority of WA
Queensland Competition Authority
Office of the Tasmanian Economic Regulator
Utilities Commission of the Northern Territory

Electricity Supply Industry - Generation Sector

Overview

What does this industry cover?

Industry Information

Employment and wage data for this industry

Apprenticeships Employment Size

Commencements Change

Apprentice Employment Outcomes

Industry Employment Size

Industry Employment Change

Industry Wage

Key Occupations

Unit Controller

Generation Technician

Electrical Fitter (Wind Generation)

This industry is positioned in the following groups

Industry

Work Type

Ready to see where Electricity Supply Industry - Generation Sector can take you?

Career Pathways

MyGain - YouTube Channel

Support Services

Apprenticeship Network Provider Finder

Group Training Organisations Finder

Work Type Explorer

Further Research

Industry information

Careers Sites