Richard to work on NSW electricity

Yamba’s Richard Fitzpatrick has started an electrical apprenticeship with EnergyAustralia.

AS a child, Richard Fitzpatrick was fascinated with how electricity works.

“I like playing around with my electronic drum kit and synthesiser,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

Now Mr Fitzpatrick will get paid to work with electricity.

The Yamba local will join 150 bright sparks as first-year apprentices with Energy Australia, playing a role in the upgrade of the NSW electricity network.

“I heard about EnergyAustralia’s apprenticeship program through a friend in Queensland who organises work for apprentices,” he said.

“I decided to apply for an apprenticeship ... in Newcastle because I wanted to broaden my horizons.

“I’m looking forward to working on some of the big jobs EnergyAustralia is working on at the moment.

“I miss my friends in Yamba but I’m making a lot of new friends at work.”

The class of 2010 was selected from 3000 applicants to help EnergyAustralia deliver the biggest-ever investment in the electricity network.