The NSW electricity distribution company that serves Dubbo may reduce its intake of apprentices and has put its usual annual intake on hold this year.
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Networks NSW, which oversees "poles and wires" businesses Essential Energy, Endeavour and Ausgrid, confirmed they were postponing any recruitment of apprentices and any future intake was "likely to be reduced".
But late yesterday Networks NSW reported of the 89 graduating apprentices joining Essential Energy's workforce this year "to help build, maintain and operate our electricity network into the future" and contested it was important to plan its workforce based on a coming decision on its funding proposal.
Earlier a memo from Networks NSW chief Rod Howard said the recruitment of new apprentices usually started at this time of year before they began work early the next year.
"[T]his year we are postponing our apprentice recruiting until after the draft determination from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) in November," he said.
Steve Butler, secretary of the Electrical Trades Union NSW, said Endeavour Energy, Ausgrid and Essential Energy hired 315 new apprentices across the state at the start of 2011.
"By this year, the number of new apprenticeships offered had plunged to just 88,'' he said.
Mr Butler claimed the changed approach was because of a directive given in "an attempt to fatten up (the businesses') profitability ahead of (Premier) Mike Baird's planned sell-off", but a Networks NSW spokeswoman rejected the claims.
"Each business will definitely recruit new apprentices in 2015, however the size of the intake depends on the Australian Energy Regulator's decision on our five-year funding proposals," she said.
The spokeswoman said the size of the apprentice intake was "likely to be reduced".
In response to questions from the Daily Liberal a Networks NSW spokeswoman provided details of Essential Energy's recruitment of apprentices in the past.
"Since 2011, Essential Energy has recruited more than 200 new apprentices with intake based on business need, rather than location," she said.
"There are 89 graduating apprentices joining Essential Energy's workforce this year to help build, maintain and operate our electricity network into the future.
"That is why it's so important that we forecast and plan our workforce carefully based on the (AER's) decision on our five-year funding proposals."
The Daily Liberal asked Dubbo MP Troy Grant if he had concerns that a delayed intake of apprentices would affect the service Essential Energy provided and about a loss of career opportunities.
"I do not think it is appropriate for me to comment on the employment arrangements," he said.
"The NSW Nationals voted to support the long-term lease of 49 per cent of the NSW Electricity Network with one major condition, that regional energy provider Essential Energy remain in public hands, protecting regional jobs."