Special event to showcase the women building our clean energy future

Transgrid is joining its construction partners for major projects EnergyConnect (Elecnor Australia) and HumeLink (ACCIONA, GenusPlus Group Ltd, UGL, CPB Contractors) at Regional NSW Riverina’s Women in Construction breakfast in Wagga Wagga to showcase our commitment to increasing female participation in the energy sector.

Employees from Snowy Hydro 2.0, Inland Rail, Martinus and the Riverina Redevelopment Joint Venture (CPB Contractors, Downer) will also attend the breakfast which aims to build a new network and unlock pathways for women to enter the industry.

The event will be officially opened by NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan.

Transgrid Executive General Manager, Corporate & Stakeholder Affairs, Maryanne Graham said: “We are delighted to join this special event to celebrate career pathways for women in construction and showcase the remarkable contribution women are already making to major infrastructure projects across the Riverina-Murray.

“Transgrid is an industry leader in reducing the gender pay gap and we are taking action to increase the representation of women at all levels of our organisation and across the industry. While we still have work to do, women now represent 27% of our workforce - an increase of 10% in the last five years - and we have complete gender balance in our Executive team.

“Our nation-critical transmission projects EnergyConnect and HumeLink are creating up to 3,100 jobs, providing real opportunities for women to enter the energy and construction industries and increase female representation in traditionally male-dominated roles.

“For women, construction offers enormous opportunities for employment and career development, and collectively we look forward to welcoming more women into our workforce as we build key infrastructure across the Riverina-Murray region and beyond.

“A gender diverse workforce is linked to better outcomes for both people and businesses, increasing potential for innovation and better decision making, and allowing our people to bring their best selves to work and reach their full potential.”

Transgrid Delivery Manager Stephanie Puttock, who joined the network as an apprentice electrical fitter in 2013 and now holds a key management role in the property team, will address the breakfast to share her experiences, challenges and successes. 

“When I initially joined the Transgrid substations team, I was the only female apprentice based in Wagga,” Ms Puttock said.   

“Today we all enjoy an inclusive, diverse and family-friendly workplace and it’s great to play a part in the nation’s clean energy transition.  

“Transgrid is consciously working to improve gender equity outcomes, with strategies and initiatives to drive change and provide genuine pathways for all of our people.”

Wagga Wagga-based Transgrid apprentice substation technicians Hayley Putland and Joannah McDougall will also attend the event.

The breakfast at Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga Convention Centre is being held in conjunction with Women in Construction Week (March 4-10) and International Women’s Day (March 8).

Transgrid media contact: Mark Nolan 0429 047 136