Peter Richards

What was your first role at JE?

I started work at JE in March 2002 as a CAD Technician in the Drawing Office at La Collette. This involved preparing CAD engineering drawings, carrying out site surveys on substation and cable installations.

Other duties involved the management of the road opening permit and reinstatement systems.

What made you go for that role?

The role was very close to my previous industry experience and it was a great opportunity to expand into areas that were of interest.

How have your skills developed during your time with JE?

While in the Drawing Office, I worked closely with the Construction and Maintenance Department Engineers and I realised that there were other opportunities within the company.

I was encouraged as well as supported to take on further training and more responsibility, developing into a dual role as Technical Contracts Administrator.

I studied for a Bachelor of Science, successfully gaining an honours degree professional qualification. This was through distance learning and period release, again supported by JE.

I moved from the Drawing Office to the Construction Department, training to become a Senior Authorised Engineer. This saw me dealing with construction projects such as the installation and commissioning of substations and customer supplies.

From the Construction Department I moved to the Maintenance
Department to develop into the new role of Maintenance Engineer.

How has JE supported your career decisions?

JE has encouraged and supported me in my development within the company. But it is also a very self-directed pathway.

Finally, what advice would you give someone just starting out in their chosen career?

Be open to the different choices/opportunities that may be presented with your chosen career. Try anything.