The skills to navigate the urgent utility expansion
The energy sector is getting on with the transition to renewables, but a skilled workforce is the key to the successful delivery of new critical infrastructure.
The energy sector is in the middle of a massive, complex transition. New infrastructure must be delivered urgently to meet climate targets, accommodate rapidly growing demand and replace ageing coal-fired assets – and delays cannot be afforded.
To support this critical network expansion, the sector requires not just advanced equipment but highly trained personnel. However, skilled labour shortages are putting pressure on project timelines, and the race is on to replace experienced personnel approaching retirement.
On top of an ageing workforce, the skills required to delivered essential electricity projects have evolved over the last few decades, and without adequate training infrastructure, building a workforce with the expertise required is a slow-moving project.
These skill gaps also pose a risk to site safety and operational efficiency, particularly in high-risk environments involving live assets – resulting in further delays.
Quinlan Cranes Director, Sacha Sikka, explained that operating near high-voltage infrastructure demands precision, strict adherence to protocols and deep operational knowledge – and the growing complexity of safety regulations further intensifies these demands.
For Mr Sikka, if personnel aren’t trained correctly or their common sense doesn’t prevail, then that’s where an accident starts and finishes.
Uplifting the industry
This shortage of skilled workers creates a ripple effect throughout the sector, and the pressure to meet tight deadlines can often force the industry to bring less experienced or insufficiently trained personnel on site.
Mr Sikka said that the physical nature of construction work as poses unique health risks, particularly in lifting and rigging operations. Workers face repetitive stress injuries musculoskeletal issues and fatigue-related risks – and an environment that fails to properly manage these risks may experience higher high turnover and accident rates, compounding the labour shortage issue.
The solution to these challenges lies in a dependable workforce that not only fills the skilled labour gap but does so with a safety-first mindset.
Quinlan Cranes specialises in navigating high-risk projects, and its personnel are certified to work around live electrical assets. According to Mr Sikka, the company’s strength lied in its safety-first approach, which is underpinned by continuous training and ISO‑accredited management.
Mr Sikka said that in the utilities industry, where projects are often high risk, it’s important to work with a provider that is reputable and committed to excellence.
“In the utility space, people understand the importance of doing things properly. We’re in the industry of doing things right the first time and not coming back,” he said,
As the energy transition powers ahead, the need for reliable, skilled labour will only increase. With a team of highly skilled, safety-trained personnel, Quinlan Cranes is uniquely positioned to support this growth, offering specialist services and a certified workforce tailored to the sector’s complex needs.
Ultimately, the success of the energy transition hinges on a whole-of-sector approach, and the right industry-specific expertise and skilled workforce are the key to not just making a reliable energy future possible, but sustainable and safe.
