Every time you flick on a heat pump in the dead of winter or charge your phone, someone like Ethan Martin or Lucy Bain has clambered up transmission towers to make it all possible – they love the challenges involved and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Ethan and Lucy are line mechanics working with Ventia to maintain the electrical network that powers New Zealand, enjoying working outdoors, the satisfaction of knowing they are keeping the lights and heating going for Kiwis, and the odd adrenaline kick to boot.
Ethan says he’s always been happiest climbing things and loved one of his first jobs out of school, working as an arborist. But a chance call from a recruitment agent two years ago led to him making the switch to become a line mechanic, something he had always dreamed of doing.
“I always wanted to be a lineman. What I really love about this job is the change of scenery and going different places all the time … and I like the physicality of the job: you’re always moving, climbing, things like that, keeping fit, being outside.”
Lucy says she had no idea of the work line mechanics did until she applied for an apprenticeship with Ventia, thinking it sounded like an interesting challenge.
Fast forward five years, after finding her feet, completing her on-the-job qualifications and being trusted to train new starters, she now supervises a team.
She says having experience in rock climbing before she started was useful, as being comfortable working at heights is an essential part of her role.
“I’m not very good at sitting still, so it’s good to be active. Going to the middle of nowhere, working all around the place – every day’s different. I’m not scared of heights, you get used to it pretty fast.”
Lucy’s career progression highlights that the diversity of the civil construction industry is evolving all the time.
An increasing number of women are getting into the energy industry and taking on roles like line mechanics, she says.
“It’s becoming a lot more popular. Girls can do it.”
Manoeuvring on high-voltage power lines way above the ground means safety is always at the forefront of Lucy and Ethan’s minds.
“If you follow all the rules, then everything’s safe,” Lucy says.
Ethan describes electricity as an “invisible force” that commands respect.
“You’ve got to stay aware of that danger. That’s why we have all our procedures in place and do things a certain way to keep us all safe,” he says.
The wider teams that maintain electrical transmission lines and keep power flowing also carry out trenching, foundation and structural work, even though their line mechanic colleagues focus on working far above them.
The infrastructure industry skills line mechanics develop – including the ability to follow safety protocols and work and communicate as part of a team – offer a springboard to explore other opportunities in different areas of the industry and expand career horizons.
Ethan says after becoming a line mechanic, he’s never looked back.
“If you get a job in this industry, you can learn heaps. If you want to become a lineman – do it. It’s a great job to have.”
Inspired by Ethan’s and Lucy’s stories? Explore line mechanic and other exciting civil construction career pathways within our Careers Roadmap.
