Electrician in Mount Hagen (PNG) - Palms Australia
Electrician in Mount Hagen (PNG)
With few opportunities for formal training in electrical trades in Papua New Guinea, those working in the sector are often self-taught and learning on the job. The Archdiocese of Mount Hagen has had a significant influence on building the industrial and economic capacity in Papua New Guinea’s important highland hub. It coordinates projects across education, health, agriculture and pastoral infrastructure. The Archdiocese has identified a need to develop:
Reliable energy infrastructure to help businesses and families generate income;
A professional and safe electrical maintenance team;
Training of young people to provide them with increased employment opportunities;
Increasing electrical contractors’ awareness of environmentally sustainable procedures.
A qualified and experienced electrician will assist the Archdiocese in providing these outcomes for the community of Mount Hagen. The successful candidate will work with local apprentices and other trades volunteers for 1-2 years.
Mt Hagen is Papua New Guinea’s third largest city, and is home to around 610,000 people. The city has recently experienced rapid urban growth and continues to attract people from the surrounding rural area seeking employment and other opportunities. Typical of this growth is the various accompanying social issues and the challenges of maintaining infrastructure such as housing, water supply, energy and sanitation, which are essential for the community’s wellbeing.
The Archdiocese’s provision of health, education and other services for the Mt Hagen community fills a need where government supply is inadequate or non-existent. Assisting the Archdiocese to maintain community infrastructure through the exchange of skills, which increases local employment opportunities, perfectly fits Palms Australia’s model of sustainable development.
Volunteers living in Mt Hagen should be prepared to work with limited resources. Caution should be exercised at night and volunteers in Papua New Guinea must be alert of their safety when walking alone or in a group with other foreigners.
With few opportunities for formal training in trades in Papua New Guinea, those working in the sector are often self-taught and learning on the job. This leaves tradespeople in the country with varied skills and knowledge of safe, effective, and sustainable electrical systems.
PNG Power is committed to extending and expanding its rural distribution network throughout the country to provide electricity to the people of Papua New Guinea. With increased access to electricity it is likely that more skilled electricians will be needed to install and provide maintenance for new and existing electrical systems.
The Archdiocese of Mount Hagen has requested a suitably qualified and experienced electrician. The successful candidate must demonstrate:
Experience and up to date licenses in electrical trades, preferably with experience supervising apprentices
Awareness of the challenges in household electrical needs in remote communities
Willingness to work in Mount Hagen for a minimum of 12 months, with limited resources and facilities.
Prior experience in a remote community is not essential but will be an asset.
Through your placement, you will contribute to:
A professional and safe construction and maintenance team;
Increasing contractors’ awareness of environmentally sustainable procedures.
It is expected that at the conclusion of your assignment, the training role will be able to be conducted by a local you have supported.