Last year, Territory Generation began a partnership with Engineers Australia to provide its 25 engineers access to an Engineering Workforce Credentialing (EWC) program, the first of its kind in the Northern Territory.
Since the EWC program began, 19 engineers have received accreditation at Territory Generation, the annual membership of which is funded by the organisation. The accreditation is globally recognised as a mark of excellence, demonstrating the highest level of professionalism in an area of practice.
“We’re already seeing the benefits of the program for our engineering staff. Recognising their achievements through accreditation provides them with a platform and means to achieve greater innovation and efficiencies for Territory Generation and the Northern Territory,” said Territory Generation Chief Executive Officer, Gerhard Laubscher.
The EWC program provides opportunities for Territory Generation engineers to develop their skills locally, achieve a globally recognised accreditation and reach the top of their profession. It also supports Territory Generation’s commitment to ‘growing our own’. In turn, this benefits the Northern Territory and contributes to the local economy.
By elevating the capability of Territory Generation’s engineering workforce, the program also contributes to the successful delivery of major projects, including the Darwin-Katherine battery energy storage system.
“We are investing in the EWC as a drawcard for engineers at all stages of their careers to increase the breadth and depth of Territory Generation’s skillset,” said General Manager Assets & Engineering, Minh Tran.
Principal Mechanical Engineer Kevin Edwin has been with Territory Generation and the Northern Territory Government for 17 years, and received his credentialing last year through the program.
“Credentialing had not been a focus for me, but this initiative allowed me to undertake the program with the backing of Engineers Australia which is great recognition from them. More importantly, this program brings benefits to my whole team because it revalidates them and gives them assurance,” said Edwin.
Asset Engineer Ian Ang is also happy to have received this globally recognised engineering accreditation. “At Territory Generation, every day provides unique challenges as we work to provide power for the homes and businesses right across the Territory. A big part of my role involves marrying the contractual, maintenance and commercial aspects of various power generators to ensure long-term reliability and performance.
“I had considered Chartered registration before I joined Territory Generation but never acted on it due to the administrative obstacles and time required. Being involved in Territory Generation’s EWC program really streamlined the process and made it achievable for me and many of my workmates. To be globally recognised as accredited in my field is a career milestone and gives me the confidence to progress in my career. Achieving this locally, right here in Darwin, was a bonus. I would love to see the EWC rolled out to other businesses in the Territory to further our local engineering industry,” said Ang.
Principal Control System Engineer Anojan Bala received his credentialing in 2013 and let it lapse so the program at Territory Generation provides him with the opportunity to revalidate.
“It’s great to see the support from Engineers Australia for this program. It provides a level of universal benchmarking for engineers, not unlike the way the medical profession operates. It’s prestigious and shows that we are competitive.
“For my team, it helps bring recognition for their skills and experience to the forefront and continues their professional development. Beyond just Territory Generation it also adds to the whole NT engineering workforce.
“I’m very passionate about helping grow the engineering workforce by encouraging young people to study STEM subjects, especially girls, and a program like this can really help them feel they can have global recognition for their skills,” said Bala.
Principal Electrical Engineer Boyd Hillebrand began his career at Territory Generation (then Power and Water Corporation) in the graduate program in 2008. He spent seven years at Territory Generation, then worked elsewhere for seven years and recently returned. During his time away, he received his credentialing which was a mandatory requirement for the work he undertook in Queensland. He’s keen to see the credentialing program become a national requirement.
“The credentialing program also benefits my team who range from graduates to senior engineers, junior engineers have a career development pathway and senior engineers are given recognition of their skills. I also think this type of accreditation benefits all of society and the NT community beyond the electricity industry,” said Hillebrand.
All of Territory Generation’s engineers will have the opportunity to complete the credentialing accreditation and the company will pay the annual membership to keep it up to date.