Summer School: Career Starter Retreat (0-3 years industry experience)
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 power sector professionals with 4 to 6 years' experience, delivered for industry by industry for 20+ years.
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 (for those with 4-6 years of industry experience).
The 2025 Program 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 ýour peers and 100+ other future leaders and experts in the power sector.​
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All of the programs also include the Executive Insights Program and a NEM Basics course provided by AEMO in the lead up to Summer School.
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All female participants have the option to be included in the Powerful Women Leadership Program as well 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 during Summer School+ with more than 60 industry 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 and CEOs
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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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Career Development and Mentoring with Summer School mid-career professionals
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Diversity & Inclusion Module
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Stakeholder Engagement Modules
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Site Tour
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Strategic Project Presentations: Addressing 10 key challenges for the sector with recommendations for action and necessary skills
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Workshop: Leadership aspects of implementing recommendations from Summer School participants in response to the Exec’s Challenge Questions
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Networking with 100+ power sector professionals from undergrads to current leaders
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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 in the School (and their managers) consistenly share that the value of the School 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.
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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 in the API's new Summer School Retreat Programs - a very unique experience!
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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:
Exploring Strategic Challenges in the Power Industry - 2024 Summer School+ Delegate Presentations
These recorded presentations are an exciting opportunity to witness the innovative ideas and solutions developed by professionals in the power sector during their time in the program.
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The strategic project presentations offer a glimpse into the future of the power sector, as participants delve into key industry challenges and present their strategic approaches to overcome them.
"API Summer School opened my eyes to some of the big picture issues the industry currently faces"
- Adrian Di Pasquale
What to expect
'Career Starters' 2025 Roadmap
The 'Career Starters Retreat' will shift your thinking from technical to strategic thinking and build your communication skills to enhance leadership capability and confidence.
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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
- Building a national network of your peers, industry professionals, experts, and leaders to advance your professional career
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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.
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The Powerful Women 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: 'Career Starter' (for those with 0-3 years experience) and 'Developing Professionals' such as yourself.​​
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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
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Learn more here
"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
All accommodation and meals covered at the Retreat!
With industry conferences now costing $1000+ per day plus hotels and meals as extra costs, we are proud to offer the Summer School Retreats to our member organisations and others for the following prices (your only extra cost is your travel!).​ Registration includes all accommodation and meals at the live School (including all group dinners and functions).
Complete and send the PDF Order Form by email to Emily Marschke to secure your seat & pay by invoice at:
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Pro tip:
You can register your order without the names of participants to secure the Early Bird rate
Early bird: closing 30 November 2024
Standard: closing 1 February 2025
Late registration: closing 11 April 2025
Note: Late registration will result in missing the online induction event, and potentially incurring additional costs.
Backed by industry
Thank you to our members who make all of this possible
Governor Members
Principal Members
Industry Members
