Technical Trainee (fixed-term)

Orion Group; Christchurch; Hybrid; NZD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

My Days leave

Orion Days

Wellbeing allowance

Holiday house access

Job summary

Orion Group’s Technical Trainee Development Programme offers hands-on experience across Orion’s electricity network while you study for a Level 6 NZ Diploma in Electrical Engineering or higher. You will be immersed in varied placements, learning from experienced mentors and applying classroom knowledge in real projects.

You’ll earn a full-time salary while spending 20 hours a week gaining hands-on experience and 20 hours studying, with course fees fully covered.

Qualifications

• Essential: Level 6 NZ Diploma in Electrical Engineering or higher.
• Experience in an electrical field is advantageous.
• EWRB licence or equivalent required or in progress.

Responsibilities

• Gain hands-on experience across different parts of Orion’s electricity network.
• Engage with customers, colleagues and stakeholders to build relationships.
• Explore multiple business areas including Finance, Quality, Health & Safety and Environment.

Skills

Electrical field experience

Education

NZ Diploma in Electrical Engineering (Level 6)

EWRB licence or equivalent

Job description

Category Engineering - Electricity Network

What if you could earn while you learn, explore different areas of the electricity industry and build the foundations for an exciting engineering career? That's exactly what our Orion Development Programme is all about! We're looking for a fixed-term Technical Trainee who's curious, motivated and ready to get stuck in. You'll gain hands‑on experience across different parts of Orion, work alongside people who know their stuff and get a real feel for what makes our electricity network tick.

One of the best parts? You won't be doing the same thing every day. Through a variety of placements, you'll have the opportunity to explore different areas of the business, discover where your interests and strengths lie and put what you're learning into practice. Whether you're about to start your Diploma in Electrical Engineering or already have your studies underway, this is an opportunity to learn, grow and see where a career in the electricity industry could take you.

About us

Passionate, curious, and innovative are a few words that describe our people. We are powering the future, connecting communities, and igniting innovation. Orion owns and operates the electricity distribution network that provides power to central Canterbury. As the third largest electricity distribution network in New Zealand, we cover remote rural areas, regional towns, and the city of Christchurch.

We are an essential service and take our responsibilities seriously. We are community owned and working here means a career with meaning and purpose that makes a difference in your very own neighbourhood.

The role

• You'll be planning to study, or already working towards, a Level 6 NZ Diploma of Engineering (Electrical) or higher - this is an essential requirement
• Earn while you learn! You'll receive a full-time salary while spending 20 hours a week gaining hands‑on experience at Orion and 20 hours studying, with your course fees fully covered by us
• Build your confidence and develop strong relationships with customers, colleagues and stakeholders along the way
• Broaden your understanding of the business through exposure to other areas, including Finance, Quality, Health & Safety and Environmental

About you

• A naturally curious and improvement-focused mindset, with a willingness to ask questions, explore new ideas and challenge how things are done
• A genuine commitment to learning, developing your skills and building a career in the electricity distribution industry
• Self-motivation, initiative and the drive to see things through
• Previous or current experience working in an electrical field, along with an EWRB licence or equivalent
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills, with the ability to communicate confidently with others
• A positive, can‑do attitude, a great sense of humour and a willingness to get stuck in

We offer

You'll find at Orion, you can come as you are and just be you. You will be joining a workplace that values who you are, the work you do, and the way you think. Importantly, we offer:

• Flexible working arrangements, and flexible locations with our Head office in Burnside and satellite offices in Rolleston and Ferrymead
• Five extra days of leave a year - three days of “My Days” leave and two “Orion Days” between Christmas and New Year
• A broad range of workplace benefits from a wellbeing allowance to access to our holiday house in Hanmer!

You might be surprised to find out that the company that brings the power to your home is innovative, inclusive, progressive, and quite good fun.

We are truly committed to diversity, inclusion and lifting our cultural capability.

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this job. Pre-employment checks are part of our recruitment process.