High Voltage, huge rewards: Jacob’s career on the WEL Networks grid
Not all electrical heroes work above ground – some keep the lights on from deep in the network!
Jacob’s pathway as a cable jointer at WEL Networks started with school work experience and sparked into a full on career filled with technical skill, teamwork, and rewarding challenges.
Now the former St. John’s College student is second-in-charge of Underground, where they’re working on everything from high voltage cables to major projects across the Waikato region. If you’re into variety, tech, teamwork and a trade with big opportunities, you’ll want to check out Jacob’s Career Story…
Jacob Linton
2IC Underground
A chat with Jacob about his role
What do you do for work?
I am 2IC of Underground. My primary role is cable jointer. We undertake all the maintenance on the underground networks so high voltage, low voltage cable jointing, terminations.
How did you get into this job/career?
My Dad was in the industry, so that was sort of my gateway in through work experience. I did work experience with another company two days a week about 10 years ago. Through that I got a trade assistant job and gained more experience. I proved myself and gained an apprenticeship.
A cable jointer apprenticeship takes two years. There are two block courses per year. It takes about two years to get the fundamental understanding of the different tools and how to use them. It’s the same for the testing aspect of it as well.
What technical skills have you learnt on the job?
We have different types of tools for different types and sizes of cables. We also use different types of test gear – high voltage and low voltage.
What was it about this career that interested you?
I was looking at being a line mechanic, but they had filled the role. Someone actually gave me a ring and talked to me about cable jointing, which I had never heard of. They explained it, showed me some different photos of the joints and terminations and different types of cable they worked on and it just looked really interesting. The job variety that they did, working in different locations most days, I thought that looked quite cool. So now I’ve been here for four years.
What do you love about your job?
I think our people in our teams are really cool. Even the industry, everyone’s mates and gets along real well. The cable jointing job itself is a really cool trade. It is a two year traineeship which is short compared to most other trades. I enjoy working on the different types of cables and working with live electricity. It’s quite a technical job, so I get a lot of job satisfaction. You stand there on a cubicle working on a cable and you just spend your time making it look real tidy, and then you can stand back at the end and go “Wow, that looks cool.” It’s especially good when you’ve got a couple guys on site and you get a bit of banter with, and you’re there for a couple of days doing some joints or terminations.
Has there been a stand out memory for you in this role?
We did a big project in Huntly, installing something called BESS (Battery, Energy, Storage, System) I was a trainee cable jointer at the time. We did the full lot of jointing works there. Projects tend to have a few hiccups along the way, but it’s always fun when you’re on a project long term. You’re constantly working through problems, you’re doing a really good job. I was also sort of being flexible working on multiple sides of the project. So after we got through all the cable jointing side, I also did some of the electrical as well – panel wiring. When we got to the end of the project it just felt really rewarding. We had been there working on that project for eight months, so it was good to see the end of a big project and you feel like you’ve done a really good job.
Not long after that project I took part in a cable jointing competition. Every year they have this competition where you undertake multiple different joins, terminations and someone watches you and assesses you on it and I got 3rd place in that competition. I was still a trainee at the time. That’s probably one of my big highlights.
Jacob Linton
2IC Underground
Jacob’s Top Tips
What interpersonal skills have you learnt while working?
So with our planned work, it can go through a lot of different hands. We have lots of different work parties to go through. So underground is one department of many. Some jobs have overhead involvement, substations involvement, underground control… so good communication is important. This includes sending out emails, getting everyone on the same page, meetings with the Project Manager, and regular catch-ups. In the end everyone ends up turning into your mate, so you get along with everyone, and you can just say “Hey, can I have a chat with you?”… it turns out pretty easy.
What kind of person suits work in this industry/job?
I think one of the biggest things is someone with a good attitude; willing to learn and always asking questions. With a lot of the tasks, it takes a long time to learn. There’s a lot of repetition, practice and knowledge. Basically just someone that’s really keen to do all those things!
Do you have any advice for someone considering this pathway?
To get into this sort of industry, I’d probably recommend doing a NZ Certificate in Electrical Pre Trade (Level 3) at Wintec. This is a gateway to start getting that base knowledge of how the industry works. If you can, get an opportunity at school, like work experience. Those are probably the two best ways to start. Even if you don’t start with an apprenticeship just try and get something like a trade assistant role to start learning how the trades work. That’s a pretty strong baseline to start getting into this industry.
What school subjects are useful to take?
Maths is really important. I wish I took a lot more back then. Just basic maths is really good to have. In cable jointing we have to use measurement. We get a kit of instructions and you have to follow the instructions, otherwise it voids manufacturer’s warranty – all that sort of stuff. And you take liability for that so you have to do everything bang on (within 1mm or 2mm of the measurement). So basic addition, subtractions, multiplications are all important. There’s quite a lot of off-set measurements you have to do, especially when you haven’t got much room for error. Sciences are good to take as they touch on the basics of electricity as well. Physical Education as well, I think it’s quite important because we work in awkward postures most of the time, so it’s good to be really fit and flexible.
Is there anything you wish you knew before leaving school?
Paying more attention in Maths and Science is probably a big one. At the time I know it’s like “I don’t care” but all that knowledge compounds and you do draw upon that experience. Even if you’re really wanting to get into any sort of industry like this it’s good to show proactiveness. Sometimes it’s even walking into a place and handing in your CV, people love to see proactiveness – setting yourself apart from others. All those things add up!
Powering the Waikato: About WEL Networks
WEL Networks keeps more than 100,000 homes and businesses across the Waikato connected and humming every single day. They’ve been lighting up the region for around 100 years, delivering safe and reliable electricity to the community.
Behind the Scenes: About 300 amazing people work at WEL, looking after everything from power poles and underground cables to substations and new technology.
Behind the Scenes: About 300 amazing people work at WEL, looking after everything from power poles and underground cables to substations and new technology.
Their mission? Keep the lights on, the power flowing and the region growing.
Career Opportunities
Thinking about a future in energy? WEL has heaps of pathways.
From traineeships to technical roles to leadership opportunities, there’s something for everyone who’s keen to learn, solve problems and get hands-on!
From traineeships to technical roles to leadership opportunities, there’s something for everyone who’s keen to learn, solve problems and get hands-on!
What opportunities/positions can lead on from here?
Especially at WEL Networks there’s so many opportunities for training. So once you spend two years and get your cable jointing qualification there’s a NZ Certificate in Electricity Supply (Fault Response & Switching) (Level 4) qualification that will allow you to do your high voltage switching – which is a really high demand qualification. WEL Networks generally offers training for electrician as well. There is plenty of study opportunity if you want to keep studying. Generally heaps of roles are available, leadership roles as well.
What do you enjoy about working at WEL Networks?
The people here at WEL Networks are great to work with. WEL Networks really takes good care of their workers. There’s a lot of people at WEL that have worked here for years because it’s definitely a great place to work. They offer plenty of training opportunities and professional development. There’s plenty of overtime opportunities for people to make money. I definitely recommend WEL Networks as an employer.
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