A free community event connecting young locals to careers in renewable energy will be held in Armidale next month, headlined by a documentary screening, a live career panel and a live performance from country artist Fanny Lumsden, with a free barbecue to follow.
“Love Your Work”, presented by Hi Neighbour, is designed to connect local residents, especially young people, with real career and training opportunities emerging from the New England region’s renewable energy transformation. The free, 90-minute event will run from midday on Friday, 19 September at The Welders Dog (Big Dog), and is open to the public.
“REZ communities deserve practical, positive career information at a time of cost-of-living pressure and energy transformation,” said Yael Stone, founder of Hi Neighbour.
“The communities shouldering the transformation should also receive the employment benefits.”
Attendees can expect a Welcome to Country by Uncle Steve Widders, opening the event with local cultural recognition, followed by a screening of the “Love Your Work” short documentary, featuring real stories from scholarship recipients and their journeys into renewable energy careers.
A clean energy career panel will follow, unpacking real job and training pathways available in the New England region. It features Dr Sanaz Alian from the University of New England, Scott Green, community engagement and communications specialist for New England at large scale renewables company ACEN Australia, and Heidi McElnea, renewable energy skills coordinator for New England, a NSW Government role formed through a partnership between EnergyCo and the Department of Education.
Organisers will also announce a “Love Your Work” youth scholarship, offering $3,000 plus bespoke support to a local 18 to 24 year old pursuing a renewable energy career pathway, before Fanny Lumsden performs live and a free barbecue, cooked on a barbecue powered by an electric vehicle, is served.
“This is very much a two way learning opportunity. We are keen to come and learn from folks in New England to understand how we can best support them,” Yael said.
The Armidale event kicks off a four stop tour across New South Wales’s Renewable Energy Zones, also visiting Newcastle, Muswellbrook and Dubbo through September and October.
Grab your free ticket to the Armidale event on September 19 here.
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