Naduni's story
Hear Naduni's experience of the Grid Connection Engineer Graduate program.
Naduni is part of the first cohort of the Grid Connection Engineer Graduate Program. In her second rotation, we asked how she's been getting on.
What organisation are you currently working with and what kind of projects are you involved in day to day?
I am currently working with Alinta Energy as part of the Power Development team. My day-to-day work involves supporting several renewable energy projects across different stages of development.
At the moment, I am mostly involved in compliance monitoring for a wind farm in Western Australia, operating in the WEM, which has some difference compared with the NEM. Alongside this, I'm contributing to various early-stage development projects across the country. My work includes electrical loss calculations, proposal assessments, and attending meetings with consultants to follow project design and modelling.
Beyond technical tasks, I’ve also been able to take part in several professional development opportunities. I’ve had the chance to meet other Alinta Energy graduates, participate in a volunteering day in a children's farm and visit industry sites.
Overall, my time at Alinta has given me a mix of technical exposure, industry experience, and professional development opportunities.
How did you find the experience of moving from your first rotation into your second? What were the biggest learnings?
I expected the transition from my first rotation to my second to take some time, but I was able to adjust to Alinta’s working culture very quickly. I was warmly welcomed on my first day, and the team has been extremely supportive.
My biggest learning has been the importance of 'Effective Communication'. I had the opportunity to attend an Alinta workshop on this topic, which helped me understand the differences between communication within the team and communication with external stakeholders. This rotation has really strengthened my ability to communicate in a clear and professional manner.
Where are you headed next and what are you looking forward to?
For my next rotation, I will be working with Vestas, an OEM. I’m looking forward to experiencing the grid connection process from an OEM perspective, understanding how they approach GPS studies, and gaining more hands-on experience with the tools and methodologies used in their space.
Do you have any advice for future grads considering this program or who want to work in clean energy?
Australia is in the middle of a major clean energy transition, and there is a growing demand for grid connection engineers and renewable energy engineers. This graduate program is a great way to gain exposure to the industry and understand how different organisations contribute to the energy transition. With four rotations across four different companies, the program allows graduates to build strong industry connections and explore different areas within grid connection. It’s an excellent opportunity to discover which part of the field you’re most passionate about so you can shape your career in a direction you truly enjoy.