A new partnership between Synergy and Programmed will provide eight apprentices with training opportunities at Muja Power Station in Collie, Western Australia, with the program expected to support skills development across sectors including manufacturing, energy, mining and industrial services.
In a media release, the Western Australian Government said the partnership will provide employment and training for the apprentices across 2027 and 2028, building on Muja Power Station’s history of electrical and engineering training.
While the power station is ageing and approaching the end of its operational life, the government said its experienced workforce would provide apprentices with an opportunity to develop practical skills and gain industry knowledge.
The apprentices will receive nationally recognised trade qualifications and exposure to a range of workplaces through Programmed’s network across the South West and elsewhere in Western Australia.
The government said the experience could help develop transferable skills relevant to the energy, utilities, manufacturing, mining and industrial sectors.
Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the partnership would help apprentices develop skills while supporting the region’s workforce.
“Combining training at Synergy’s Muja Power Station with opportunities across Programmed’s broader network will give apprentices hands-on experience that supports the energy transition,” Sanderson said.
“Supporting apprenticeships in Collie is about investing in local people, local jobs, and the skilled workforce that will help power Western Australia’s future economy and energy transition.”
Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns said Muja had previously provided apprenticeship opportunities for tradespeople in the region.
“Many tradespeople in Collie have gone through the Muja apprenticeship program, and I look forward to seeing the next generation of apprentices get a chance to kickstart their careers in the energy sector,” Hanns said.
The government said the initiative is intended to strengthen Collie’s local workforce while supporting skilled trades needed for Western Australia’s future energy system and broader economic development.
