Trainees, cadets and graduates
We're committed to ensuring our industry has skilled people now and in the future.
We hire a number of trainees, cadets and graduates across the North Island for a variety of roles.
Engineering Cadetships
We partner with MIT to support engineering students to combine study with hands-on paid work experience.
In 2022 we’ll be offering an amazing cadetship opportunity to a select number of students who have successfully completed the first year of their NZ Diploma in Engineering (Electrical) (Level 6) course. If you’re successful, you’ll be employed on a fixed term agreement as an Engineering Cadet, based at one of our depots throughout the North Island. You’ll be paid while you complete on the job learning and also while undertaking residential study. We’ll also pay your course fees for the remainder of your studies.
Click to find out more about the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Electrical) (Level 6) course at MIT.
Click here to view the 2020 cadets in action!
Trainee positions with Northpower
We hire a number of trainees throughout the North Island in a variety of different roles. The most common trainee roles we recruit for are line mechanics, cable jointers and electrical fitters.
If you're interested in one of these trainee opportunities but we are not actively recruiting, please sign up and when a trainee intake is happening in your area we'll be in touch.
Graduate information and roles
If you're studying to enter the industry that’s great!
We're looking for people who are interested in a career - not just a job - with passion for the industry and engineering as a profession.
Along with qualifications from recognised tertiary institutions, we're looking for the following qualities and skills when hiring graduates.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Leadership potential
- Enjoys working as part of the team and is self-motivated
- A fit with our culture and environment
- Interests outside engineering and the industry
- Relevant papers in electric power systems is an advantage
Graduate expressions of interest
If we're not currently advertising the graduate role you're looking for then sign up to express your interest.
You'll receive a job alert when we're next recruiting a graduate intake in your area.
Alyssa's story
Whangārei-based Alyssa Paki was looking to do “something a bit different” after five years of working in retail with limited future prospects.
She was a recipient of an electrical training cadetship with our partners People Potential and simply excelled during the course.
Part of the cadetship included six weeks of in-house training working alongside people in our network team in Whangārei.
Alyssa’s potential shone through, and encouraged, she applied for a Northpower engineering scholarship and was one of fourteen recipients from over 100 applicants across the North Island.
The three-year scholarships offer a fully paid NZ Diploma in Engineering in partnership with Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT), and provides paid on-the-job experience with us during the duration of their studies.
Alyssa is relishing the opportunity to work alongside our team. “I get to help out with projects, work alongside the engineers and go on site visits to see what they do on a daily basis”, says Alyssa.
Alyssa’s achievements are a fantastic example of what can happen when opportunities are provided to underutilised talent, giving pathways to a bright future in the electricity supply industry. “It’s been a real highlight working with the engineers and I can definitely see this as my future career.”
Beniah's story
Beniah (Ben) is one of our Auckland cadets, who is completing the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering. Recently Ben has spent time in a placement with our Auckland Health and Safety Team.
"My placements at Northpower have been very meaningful in developing my knowledge and character," he says.
"With the guidance of my mentors, I have learnt the correct way of conducting audits and writing audit reports. My experience with the Health and Safety team has opened my eyes to procedures, regulations, and Northpower’s current standings with regards to safety. I am so grateful with all the help and expert advice the team has given me."
"One of my biggest learning experiences during this placement was to never compromise safety. As much as anyone in this industry can be working for many years and be very skilled, it is still possible to slip up, make mistakes and overlook small details," says Ben.
"During my time in Health and Safety, the team taught me something that is also important…growth. I had the time to reflect what I can change about myself and what I can do better. This attitude will benefit the way I work with Health and Safety. Having the right attitude and a positive mindset can also be very useful throughout the way we handle situations and even throughout our career."
Electrical supply industry training
If you're looking for information on electrical supply industry training please visit:
- Connexis – connexis.org.nz information on apprenticeships and how to get into the electricity supply industry.
- Etco – etco.co.nz electrician or electrical fitter pathways
- Ultimit women in infrastructure – connexis.org.nz information for women who are interesting in a career in the electricity industry.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about working at Northpower or our recruitment process, please contact us.
Contact us