Spark a fresh career at Evoenergy
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For Karina and Rhylee, an Evoenergy apprenticeship has offered the chance to learn a trade, earn while they learn and build a career keeping Canberra’s electricity network running.
We rarely think about electricity until the lights go out. Yet behind every glowing lamp, oven-baked meal and morning coffee are the hands-on crews quietly keeping the grid running.
Evoenergy second-year apprentices Rhylee (left) and Karina (right).
Among them are Evoenergy’s second-year apprentices Karina and Rhylee, who play a vital role in delivering safe, reliable power to more than 200,000 customers across Canberra.
Through Evoenergy’s apprenticeship program, the duo are undertaking a paid, four-year training pathway that balances real-world, on-the-job problem-solving with formal tertiary study at the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), leading to a nationally recognised qualification.
Karina, 34, made a career pivot from Defence.
Both took very different paths before landing at Evoenergy. Karina, 34, made a career pivot from Defence, while Rhylee, 19, stepped straight out of graduation looking for a practical career where she could work with her hands.
For Karina who made the move from Brisbane, the outdoor role has offered an unexpected perk: a chance to see the best of her new home.
“I love that it’s hands-on work, and we get to see every part of Canberra,” she says.
Of her career change, she says working in a trade was “something she’d always thought about.”
“When it came time to leave Defence I kept leaning towards a trade, and when applications at Evo opened I finally bit the bullet,” she says.
“I have no regrets; everyone has been so friendly and welcoming.”
Another highlight of the role is that “no two days are the same.”
“A typical day might start at 7.30 am with a risk assessment, followed by inspecting ground assets and maintaining pad-mount substations, including topping up oil or performing the critical preventative maintenance required to stop unplanned outages,” she says.
Rhylee (19) loves using her hands and getting outdoors.
Meanwhile, Rhylee’s mornings usually begin in the zone substations, where she and the team might be found undertaking essential battery testing. Her days are often filled with line upgrades, adding capacity to the growing network and conducting maintenance on high-voltage circuit breakers.
For Rhylee, the appeal of the job is simple: she loves using her hands and getting outdoors, along with receiving ongoing mentoring and support.
“Every day is a good day in this role,” she says.
“Working for a company like Evo is really great because they take the time to explain things and everyone’s here to help.
“They also do their best to provide us with the learning materials we need. Later this year, we will work for a different company to learn different parts of the trade. Balancing the hands-on work with study at NECA has been a great way to learn.”
With trades spanning lineworker, cable jointer and electrical fitter roles, no previous industry experience is required, just a willingness to learn.
After their apprenticeships wrap up, both Rhylee and Karina hope to continue their careers with Evoenergy.
“This has been such a rewarding role with a fantastic team, and I’d love to continue along this career path,” Karina says.
For those looking to spark their own career change, applications are now open for Evoenergy’s 2027 apprenticeship intake.
With trades spanning lineworker, cable jointer and electrical fitter roles, no previous industry experience is required, just a willingness to learn.
And with the rise of AI creeping into many desk jobs, Karina says it’s a timely reminder that “there’s longevity in this career.”
“I would encourage anyone to apply. If you’re thinking about, just go for it,” she says.
