The people behind NSW’s energy transition
14 August 2024
Behind every big change are the stories of the people who make it happen. As NSW transitions its energy network, there are individuals contributing to that change, and whose lives are transformed by the opportunities in the sector. At Precision Oxycut and Allthread Industries, Reed Bryce and Ricky Kent are among those whose journeys of professional growth have been influenced by the state’s transition to renewable energy.
Reed Bryce, Machinist at Precision Oxycut and Allthread Industries
At 32 years old, Reed embarked on a major career pivot when he joined the business. “Me and 5 other guys who moved over here just to work as labourers are all still here and we all work in different parts of the company now.”
With four of the state’s coal-fired power stations scheduled to close in the next 15 years, the need for the upgrade and transition to renewable energy infrastructure, in this case wind turbines, has presented him with the opportunity to progress from a labourer to an apprentice. Reed is now 6 months into a 3-year apprenticeship to become a Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machinist – an integral piece of machinery in the production of anchor cages for wind towers. Reed said: “What I love about working here is the opportunities I have been given. I didn't know if this was going to be a long-term thing… Now, it's definitely a career path I want to do.”
After joining the business on a short-term basis, Reed found himself with the chance to study and further his qualifications in this sector: “I ended up working in a different department to fill in. Then Simon Preston (the General Manager) approached me to ask whether I’d be interested in becoming an apprentice.” Reed was enjoying the change in pace from hospitality and the career prospects offered to him, so this opportunity was, as he describes it, “a no brainer.”
“It's good, it’s weird being back in the classroom again. Most of the learning is on the job under the guidance of Patrick. We learn about renewable energy at TAFE, but it’s mostly machine work, at work though, it's 90% of my job.”
As Reed provides us a tour of the CNC machine he is responsible for, his attachment to his job is plain to see. Reed admits: “I was in a bit of a lull before I got into this and now I’ve got a new career path. There's definitely more of a future in it.”
Reed’s job is to oversee the cutting of custom steel components for anchor cages - a critical component in the construction of wind towers. These steel structures, eventually assembled from plate steel and 4m long bolts, resemble large bird cages. Their role is to be submerged in concrete under each wind tower, providing secure and stable foundations for the tower to be attached to.
Despite his relative newcomer status in the industry, Reed's personal satisfaction in being part of the renewable energy transition helps fuel a sense of purpose,
“Thinking about when I was running a pub back in the day, now I'm running a machine that helps build these giant anchors that go into these massive superstructure wind towers and it's all a part of renewable energy - that's pretty cool!”
Reed Bryce: My name's Reed Bryce and I work as an apprentice here in the machine shop.
I'm 32. I've actually only been in this industry for about two years.
I come from hospitality and I came over here as a labourer and stuff like that, I was genuinely curious about it. And I'm working while studying as an apprentice to be a machinist and about six months into a three-year apprenticeship.
Primarily what I'm involved in is wind farms. In the two years I've been here, I've definitely seen heaps of changes with all the wind farm stuff that we do. That's definitely 98% of my job.
I've learned a lot, especially all the different areas and different wind farms that we do. They're all slightly different but the same. It's lot to learn.
Now I'm running a machine that helps build these giant anchors. They go into these massive superstructure wind towers and it's all part of renewable energy.
The most memorable experience for me would be learning how to operate and run the machine myself confidently, because leading up to it, like the machines are very daunting to use and a bit intimidating at first and takes you a while.
Trickiest part of the job is programming, without a doubt. So, the program obviously gives the instructions to the machine, and tells me what to do. I have to make slight adjustments depending on the positioning and where I put everything in, to make sure you hit just right, with the guidance of Pat, and then machining, the actual job itself.
What I love about working here is the opportunities that I've gotten now as well. I honestly didn't know if this would be a long-term thing. Now, it's definitely a career path that I want to do.
I'm excited for wherever it can take me.
Ricky Kent, Kinetic Operator at Precision Oxycut and Allthread Industries
Ricky, a 38-year-old England-born resident of Western Sydney, similarly embarked on his journey from an unexpected starting point, the hospitality sector. Just a year ago, the world of machinery and renewable energy infrastructure was unknown to him: “Twelve months ago I wouldn’t have known how to operate any of this machinery” Ricky remembers: “now every day is different and exciting.”
Through the recommendation of a friend, Ricky found himself interviewing at Precision Oxycut and AllThread Industries to help fill a growing demand, and like Reed, quickly upskilled into this dynamic field. Each day brings new challenges and discoveries as he helps operate the machinery vital to the infrastructure required to help power our state with affordable, clean and reliable energy.
“The best part of my day, aside from lunch” jokes Ricky as he speaks of his job satisfaction: “...is that nothing is ever the same, I'm always doing something slightly different.” Ricky's role in operating and supervising the Kinetic 4000 CNC machine involves cutting the required steel components from sheet metal to precision specification for the different projects and wind towers that the business supplies to, which all have their own individual requirements. With this daily variety, Ricky describes his workplace as: "a really nice, fun environment to walk into everyday."
The transition from hospitality to renewable energy has not only broadened Ricky's skill set but has also opened doors to opportunities for personal development.
Ricky has also been able to secure his forklift licence: “It came about due to the nature of the initial work, building the wind tower anchors, there are a lot of heavy pieces which need to be moved around and the work was all falling on one person, so it made sense for the rest of the crew to be trained up to help out, it’s definitely come in handy for a fair few reasons.”
And supported by his employer, he is undergoing onsite training to continue his speciality knowledge as a Kinetic Operator. “There’s a lot of time spent with the older heads to maintain the standard of work which the company has become synonymous with.” This enables Ricky to grow and learn within the business, giving him hope for his future career in the industry: “If you’d asked me 18 months ago how to operate a forklift or a kinetic or welding machine or even an oxy cutting torch, I wouldn’t have had a clue. And that’s all the sort of stuff I’ve managed to pick up, and all the skills I’ve managed to develop.”
Beyond the new skillset, the shift from hospitality to manufacturing has also provided more flexibility in his work hours, affording more time with his family, a luxury he cherishes. “I get a lot more flexibility with the hours that I work very early in the morning to early afternoon which gives me a lot more time with my wife and kids which cheers them up, I think!” Ricky jokes. For Ricky, working in renewable energy isn't just a job, it has a higher purpose:
“We are doing something good, to protect the planet, for my grandkids and their grandkids, further along the line.”
Ricky Kent: I am Ricky. I'm 38, originally from the UK.
Been living here in Australia for the last 15 years, living out in Western Sydney.
I spent eight years running pubs and hotels in the UK and over in Australia.
I actually got this job here through my best mate.
If you'd asked me 18 months ago how to operate a forklift or a Kinetic or a welding machine, or an oxy cutting torch, I wouldn't have had a clue.
Best part of my day is the fact that nothing's ever the same. I'm always doing something slightly different, whether it's different thicknesses for the wind towers, whether it's cutting different customers projects. I've now been cutting those wind tower anchors. It's something I never, ever thought I would experience in my work career.
Aside from on-the-job training, as far as we talk about formal training, I've gained my forklift license. I'll be going through a dogman's course, to better learn the cranes that we use.
I get a lot more flexibility with the hours that I work, so it gives me a lot of free time at home with my kids and with my wife, which cheers them up, I think. I think they're happy about me spending more time at home with them now!
I get my weekends off, which is great. It's something I haven't experienced too much in previous roles.
As cliche as it sounds, it is really nice and gives you a little bit of a warm feeling to know that we are actually doing some good and we are doing something to protect the planet and help my grandkids eventually, and their kids further along the line.
Opportunities in the renewable energy sector
Even within this one business, Reed and Ricky’s stories are not isolated. The growth of these businesses as a result of their participation in the renewable energy sector, has created a demand for local jobs and opportunities for secure, skilled labour.
Working with business, industry, and communities, the NSW Government is leading a once-in-a-generation upgrade of the state’s electricity network. Our plan, the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap (Roadmap) sets out how we are going to transition the electricity network, and is expected to create an estimated 11,420 direct jobs, primarily in regional areas.
Together with people like Ricky and Reed, we are building something we can all be proud of, that will keep the power on across our state, and put downward pressure on energy prices for years to come.
Find out more
Learn more about employment, training and local business opportunities.
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Simon Preston, General Manager of Precision Oxycut and Allthread Industries based in Sydney’s western suburbs, shares his insights on the benefits of transitioning to renewable energy on the business and the opportunities it offers to local manufacturers.