A Major Milestone for Phillip Riley Apprentices & Trainees
We are proud to celebrate Steven Seth, the first apprentice to complete his apprenticeship through Phillip Riley Apprentices & Trainees, our renewable energy Group Training Organisation (GTO).
For Steven, completing his Electrical Apprenticeship represents far more than gaining a qualification. It marks the beginning of a long-term career in the renewable energy industry and reflects years of dedication, training and hands-on experience developing the skills required to work on critical clean energy infrastructure.
During the final two years of his apprenticeship, Steven worked with the RES Energy Services team at the Cohuna Solar Farm, gaining practical experience in the operation and maintenance of large-scale solar assets. Working alongside experienced technicians, he developed the technical capability, safety mindset and operational knowledge required to begin his career as a qualified electrician in renewable energy.
This milestone is significant not only for Steven, but also for the continued development of Australia’s renewable energy workforce.
As the clean energy transition accelerates, Australia will require thousands of skilled electricians, technicians and tradespeople to build, operate and maintain solar, wind and battery energy projects. Developing that workforce requires long-term investment in renewable energy apprenticeships and traineeships, ensuring the industry has access to locally trained professionals who understand the technical and operational realities of the sector.
Phillip Riley Apprentices & Trainees was established to support exactly that outcome.
As a registered Group Training Organisation operating across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, we partner with renewable energy developers, contractors and asset owners to hire, train and support apprentices and trainees across the full project lifecycle.
Under the Group Training model, Phillip Riley acts as the legal employer of the apprentice or trainee, placing them with host employers while managing the employment, training and support required to successfully complete their qualification.
Our end-to-end GTO capability includes:
Specialist recruitment
We work closely with host employers to define role requirements, identify key attributes and attract candidates suited to the renewable energy sector. Candidates are screened, interviewed and reference-checked before being presented to host organisations.
End-to-end administration
Our team manages payroll, government apprenticeship paperwork, TAFE enrolment, training plan development and workplace compliance, ensuring a seamless onboarding experience for both apprentices and host employers.
Ongoing apprentice support
We provide regular site visits, progress monitoring, mentoring and pastoral care to support apprentices throughout their training journey and ensure successful completion of their qualification.
Workforce continuity for host employers
If circumstances change, we can support host employers with apprentice replacement and ongoing workforce management while maintaining compliance with employment and training requirements.
Through this model, Phillip Riley Apprentices & Trainees supports the development of skilled trades across renewable energy infrastructure, including electricians, wind turbine technicians, engineering trades, project administrators and other specialist roles required across energy projects.
Steven’s completion represents the first of many renewable energy careers we hope to help develop, as the industry continues to invest in building a sustainable, locally skilled workforce.
Congratulations Steven on this outstanding achievement and on beginning the next chapter of your career in renewable energy.
Planning renewable energy projects and looking to build your workforce pipeline?
Speak with a Phillip Riley Renewable Energy Skills expert about hiring an apprentice or trainee and developing the next generation of clean energy professionals.
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