AWARDS FINALIST: Northpower cadetships growing regional capacity

Northpower says its cadetship programme is helping meet its own workforce needs while also expanding training capability in the region.

The company has offered cadetships since 2019. Training was initially provided in-house, but was then contracted to Whangārei-based Lines and Cables as the programme expanded.

Bringing trainees from across the North Island to Whangārei for immersive, hands-on training is reducing Northpower's reliance on overseas hiring.

Lines and Cables, formed by former employees, shares its values and culture and understands Northpower's requirements, including deep industry knowledge, NZQA accreditation and a strong foundation in Te Ao Māori values, Northpower says.

The training approach is holistic and culturally grounded, emphasising group learning and pastoral care and is done in a learner-centred way.

Cadets gain essential skills, such as working at heights, pole-top rescues and tool handling, all of which prepare them for real-world roles in the electricity sector.

The residential nature of the training assists with pastoral care and the gaining of wider life skills. It also means that other local businesses benefit from the programme's spending on accommodation, catering and transport.

The collaboration with Northpower means that Lines and Cables has also been able to grow its service offerings, hire additional staff and expand into other regions.

An unexpected benefit was ongoing exposure to modern technology, with Lines and Cables then able to add QR codes to some internal forms and to offer online 3D models for some training.

Lines and Cables managing director Richard Ashby says the collaboration has opened doors for the business across the country and has allowed it to explore more opportunities and provide training for a wider range of industry scenarios.

Northpower says the initiative focuses on local talent development, but has also influenced the firm's broader procurement strategy.

By prioritising local partnerships and social outcomes, it is embedding wider community benefit into its core procurement operations, the company says.

The annual Energy Excellence Awards will be held in Wellington on 13 August. The Social Procurement Award is sponsored by Elemental Group.