As Australia’s energy systems are changing and ageing coal-fired and gas-fired power stations close, highly skilled workers are looking for their next job opportunity.
This is a rare opportunity to tap into this talent pool by becoming a Receiving Employer under the Energy Industry Jobs Plan (EIJP). Employers who take part in this program are also eligible to access incentives and other support.
Energy Industry Jobs Plan
The EIJP is a legislative framework established to support a smooth transition for workers and businesses affected by the closure of coal-fired and gas-fired power stations.
Why become a Receiving Employer?
Priority access to skilled, experienced and motivated workers
Energy workers bring strong technical skills, safety focused experience, and a track record of working in complex, high-risk and highly regulated environments. Many have transferable skills suited to:
- renewable energy
- advanced manufacturing
- mining
- construction
- transport
- other regional industries.
These workers’ skills span:
- electrical trades
- mechanical and metal work
- mining operations
- power control room operations
- plant and equipment operations
- engineering
- planning
- maintenance
- communications
- business and IT support.
Employers decide who they hire
It can be difficult to confidently predict the future recruitment requirements for your business. With this in mind, Receiving Employers are under no obligation to hire workers. All that’s required at this stage is to:
- register your interest in joining the program
- work with us to share information about future vacancies as they become available.
Any recruitment decisions will be completely at your discretion.
Incentives to hire
The Australian Government has allocated funding to support financial incentives to Receiving Employers through this program.
Receiving Employers can apply for grant incentives for each eligible worker recruited from a closing power station, coal mine or related business. This can help offset some of the initial costs of hiring a new employee and support them to become a part of your business.
NZEA will publish details when the grant program has been finalised.
Recruitment support
Locally-based EIJP Coordinators will work directly with your business to:
- understand your workforce needs
- match roles to suitable candidates
- promote your opportunities to transitioning workers
- connect you with relevant government support.
Receiving employers will be able to advertise roles through the EIJP Jobs Board – a dedicated platform for participant employers and workers looking for new roles.
The EIJP Jobs Board will open around 12 months before the closure of the relevant power station. The board will operate for 2 years and be supported by local EIJP Coordinators to link your business with the workers you need.
Strengthen your regional workforce
When you hire locally, you:
- help retain skills in the region
- support regional communities
- provide workforce continuity
- contribute to economic growth in your region.
How the Receiving Employer program works
In the lead up to a power station closure, NZEA works with regional and national businesses to generate interest in hiring workers looking for new roles.
- If you’re interested in becoming a Receiving Employer, complete the registration form.
- We’ll review your application and get in touch if we need more information.
- If you’re approved as a Receiving Employer, you’ll get access to the EIJP Jobs Board when it opens to share your job opportunities with participating workers.
- If you hire an eligible worker into an ongoing or long-term role, and have registered as a Receiving Employer, you may be eligible for financial incentives.