Renewable Energy Park helping Bethany build a career close to home

When Horsham local Bethany Reilly joined the team at the SEC Renewable Energy Park - Horsham, she wasn’t expecting to gain hands-on skills on a large-scale renewable energy project so early in her career.

“I’m learning to operate heavy machinery,” Bethany said. “At the moment, I’m spending a lot of time in different machines with experienced operators. It definitely challenges me.”

A civil trainee first year apprentice, Bethany is working on the solar farm and battery energy storage system (BESS) project that makes up the Renewable Energy Park - Horsham. It is SEC’s first 100% publicly-owned renewable energy project and will have the capacity to power more than 51,000 Victorian homes. SEC is committed to creating opportunities for apprentices, trainees and cadets on its projects.

Working under supervision, alongside experienced operators, Bethany is developing practical skills to help set her up for a long-term career in the energy sector.

“On site, I’m gaining experience across different types of equipment, helping to maintain areas between the solar panels and supporting civil construction works,” said Bethany.

Bethany’s connection to the project runs through her family. She grew up in the area and heard about the apprenticeship through her dad, who previously worked on-site as an operator. After handing in her resume and with support from supervisors, she was offered the apprenticeship.

“I live in town, so being able to work on a project like this locally has been really good as I don’t have to travel far and I get to see my family everyday,” she said.

Due to be completed by late next year, the project has been under construction since February 2025. It typically has between seven and nine apprentices working on-site at any given time, with roles spanning civil, mechanical and electrical disciplines.

An additional ten electrical apprentices, eight male and two female, have supported the project through assembly and construction of the switchroom, operations and maintenance building, and the protection and control assembly panel. It’s part of a growing pipeline of renewable energy infrastructure in Victoria that is creating jobs and training opportunities across trades and technical roles.

Victoria’s renewable energy transition is expected to generate thousands of new jobs, including in mechanical, electrical and civil engineering, maintenance, line work, electrical trades, welding, mechanics, machine operation, community liaison and more. The state’s energy workforce is projected to grow to over 67,000 workers by 2040, more than doubling today’s workforce and opening up opportunities for people right across the state.

Looking ahead, Bethany hopes to continue building her skills and eventually work as a machinery operator on other renewables projects around the state, and even in other parts of the country.

“I just want to be better than my dad,” she laughed.

To learn more about job opportunities at SEC, visit the Workforce section of our website.