TLC empowers school leavers with hands-on work experience

17 April 2025

In March, The Lines Company (TLC) hosted three local rangatahi on a three-day hands-on work experience on its electricity distribution network.

“Exposing young people to work experience in the electricity sector is crucial as it not only provides them with hands-on skills and knowledge but also helps build a future workforce of skilled electricians and line mechanics,” said Jared Murrell, General Manager Service Delivery.

Murrell explained that the first day was dedicated to cultural and safety induction and hazard awareness.

“Following the induction, all three students – Lana Atutahi, Logan Forteath and Flaye Marshall, were eager to visit real work sites and get on the tools,” said Murrell. “Showcasing the industry and highlighting the number and varied careers available in the sector is key to building our future workforce.”

Lana Atutahi, a recent graduate of Te Kūiti High School, shared her enthusiasm for the experience.

“The three days were interesting,” said Lana. “I hadn’t realized that some of the network is in such secluded areas, and I was quite surprised at the long distances we needed to travel to get to some of the out-of-the-way places we visited.”

Currently in year 12 at Ōtorohanga College, Logan Forteath was also surprised at the remote places through which power lines run.

“It just wasn’t something I had thought about before,” said Logan. “One of the work sites we visited, the guys were working on a cliff in a remote area, which is not something that most people get to see. People just flick a switch, and the lights come on – it’s quite complicated getting that to happen!

Logan found the work experience far from boring.

“It’s a challenging sector and safety procedures and risk assessments are front of mind all the time,” he said. “There are so many different components to think about such as making sure the system is safe to work on or even something simple like digging the holes for the poles to the correct depth.”

TLC is currently working with Girls in Hi Viz on another work experience opportunity, to showcase the currently male-dominated sector to young women.