Summer School Career Starter Retreat (0-3 years) - Early Career
Building your leadership and networking skills for your power sector career
'Summer School Career Starter' is the Australian power sector's newest professional development program for early career professionals, delivered for industry by industry, for our future workforce.
The Retreat builds on API's flagship program, Summer School+: a 2-week residential program for experienced professionals in engineering and other technically oriented roles in the power sector, with the 2025 School set to take place in Melbourne, in May 2025.
The Career Starter Retreat overlaps with and takes place at Summer School+ alongside the Undergraduate Powerful Women Retreat and the Developing Professionals retreat (those with 4-6 years of industry experience).
All of the Summer School programs also include the Executive Insights Program and a NEM Basics course provided by AEMO via the API Online Academy.
Executive Insights includes online sessions with 10+ executives prior to the Retreat + the 4-day residential program which takes place during the API Summer School+. Learn and connect through workshops, panels, speakers, site tours + social activities with other grads and 100+ other future leaders and experts in the power sector.
Additionally, all female participants of the Summer School programs have the option to be included in the Powerful Women Leadership Program at no extra cost - learn more here.
"A must-attend for any Australian power engineer in their career at some point."
- Amali Wickramasinghe
Who can participate?
A unique and exclusive retreat for:
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The early career power professional community;
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With 0-3 years industry experience;
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And a desire to make a significant contribution to the power sector
Learn from 60+ experts!
Start your leadership journey now!
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Attend online sessions with 10+ executives PLUS the 4-day residential Retreat at Summer School with 60+ experts.
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Watch the live strategic project presentations at Summer School+ in May 2025 in Melbourne as delegates share solutions to key industry challenges, tasked by sector leaders
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Build your knowledge and develop an invaluable nation-wide network of experts, executives and your fellow peers in the power sector
What you get
Exclusive professional development opportunities
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Power Sector Foundations Training
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Diversity & Inclusion Module
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Career Planning and Mentoring with Summer School mid-career professionals
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Site Tour
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Strategic Project Presentations
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Communication Skills
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Goal Setting
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Networking with 100+ power sector professionals from undergrads to current leaders
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Exec Insights Online Sessions
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NEM Basics Online Course
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API Professional Skills Online Module
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API Professional Communities Online Module
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Enrolment in Powerful Women Leadership Program (where appropriate)
Leadership Development
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Enhance your potential and leadership capabilities
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Explore technical challenges & opportunities in the sector
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Learn from and connect with industry leaders
Career guidance
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Gain valuable insights and inspiration to guide your career progression
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Become more effective and competitive for technical roles
Networking opportunities
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Join an elite group of professionals dedicated to making a significant impact in the power industry
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Build relationships to pave your career in the power sector
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Bonus access to the API's Online Academy Courses
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10x Executive Insights Online Sessions
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NEM Basics Online Course
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API Professionals Skills Online Module
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Strategic Project Presentation recordings
Invest in strengthening your knowledge and networks
Connect with peers, executives and professionals nation-wide
Past participants of the API residential retreats (and their managers) consistenly share that the value of the programs is the knowledge and the deeply developed professional networks created through the unique residential program - no other program can match the opportunity to build such deep and career-spanning relationships with peers from across the sector and the country and at such an important stage in your career.
You'll also connect with the current and future female leaders in the API's new Powerful Women Undergraduate Retreat, and 40+ early career professionals across the API's new Summer School Retreat Programs - a very unique experience!
You can also access all the recorded Executive Insights sessions from the 2025 program and slide decks from presenters at the School (upon completion).
Take a look at the 2024 Strategic Project Presentations below:
"API Summer School opened my eyes to some of the big picture issues the industry currently faces"
- Adrian Di Pasquale
What to expect
Career Starter Retreat 2025 Roadmap
The 'Career Starter Retreat' will shift your thinking from technical to strategic thinking and build your communication skills to enhance leadership capability and confidence.
You will achieve this by:
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Attending the 10x online Executive Insights Sessions to build your knowledge on key industry challenges in the power sector from industry experts and leaders;
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Attending the live Strategic Project Presentations during your 4-day retreat at Summer School+, where delegates will present solutions and recommendations to the key challenges identified during the Executive Insights sessions;
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Participating in communication building activities, such as the 'Networking Welcome Event' and Communications Workshop at your 4-day residential retreat; and
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Building a national network of your peers, industry professionals, experts, and leaders to kickstart your leadership career
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PLUS bonus access to the API's Online Academy Courses (including AEMO's NEM Basics Course)
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"Make yourself available because you're the possibility."
- Thiew Atem
FREE Addition: Powerful Women Leadership Program 2025
For women currently working in or pursuing a career in the power sector
Exclusive to female participants of the Summer School Programs, we invite you to join the extra Powerful Women Leadership Program for additional career development, mentoring + networking opportunities.
The Powerful Women Leadership Program has one undergraduate retreat and will be held during the 2-week residential Summer School+ in May 2025 alongside two new Summer School Retreats: 'Developing Professionals' (for those with 4-6 years experience) and 'Career Starter' graduates with 0-3 years industry experience such as yourself.
Summer School+ is set to be held from 12-23 May 2025, and all Summer School Retreats - including the Powerful Women Undergraduate Retreat - will be held during and overlap with Summer School+ from 20 - 23 May 2025
"Overall the sessions had a good range of topics across career development, industry challenges (broader and technical), and personal branding/communication."
- Powerful Women Leadership Program participant
Registration costs
Backed by industry
Thank you to our members who make all of this possible
Governor Members
Principal Members
Industry Members
