Keeping remote communities connected

07 Nov 2008

This week (11 – 13 November) 38 ESOs from the Central Desert, Barkly and McDonnell Shires will travel to Alice Springs for a three-day course in keeping the power, water and sewerage services in their community connected and maintained.

The course that is also held in Katherine and Darwin, covers nationally accredited Fire Extinguisher training, fuse and high voltage training, oil spill containment and removal, water quality testing and management of remote sewerage services, metering and mechanical information.

Some of the ESOs attending are also undertaking a Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Remote Area Essential Services) through Charles Darwin University (CDU) and Group Training NT. The course work, assessed by CDU trainers, is done on the job.

Power and Water’s Remote Operations General Manager, Darryl Day said, ‘ESOs service some of the Northern Territory’s most remote areas, often in harsh and difficult conditions. The southern region of the Territory is a large area with many smaller communities relying on the skills of the ESOs to keep electricity and water supplies operating.

‘A key component of their work is to ensure safe drinking water especially in communities where the natural supply is often scarce or intermittent.

‘The course not only provides ESOs the opportunity to develop these skills, but to network with other ESOs and Power and Water staff.’

Practical sessions will take place at Power and Water’s Sadadeen facility and include induction and safety, the pole yard and the generation test area. The fire suppression session will be done at the back of the Alice Resort and trainees will also visit the Alice Springs Research Institute laboratory.