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Summer School x Powerful Women Undergraduate Retreat

Strengthen your capabilities and make impactful contributions in leading our sector

The 'Summer School x Powerful Women Undergraduate Retreat' is the Australian power sector's newest Powerful Women Leadership Program stream for power-passionate undergraduate women pursuing a career in the power sector.

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.

All female participants will participate in the year-long Powerful Women Leadership Program as well and alongside other female participants from Summer School+ and the other retreat programs.

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.

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.

"It's not your standard industry event. It enables cross-industry relationship building in a way that I have not experienced in my career before."

- Christopher Maddocks

Who can participate?

A unique and exclusive retreat for:

Undergraduate women studying a power sector related course;
With a desire to make a significant contribution to the Australian power sector

Learn from 70+ women in power and 60+ experts!

Start your leadership journey now

Connect with 70+ women at the Retreat and during the year-long Powerful Women Leadership Program modules
Attend online sessions with 10+ executives PLUS the 4-day residential retreat during Summer School+ with more than 60 industry experts
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
Build your knowledge and develop an invaluable nation-wide network of experts, executives and your fellow peers in the power sector
Bonus access to the API's Online Academy Courses (including access to AEMO's NEM Basics Course)

What you get

Exclusive Professional Development Opportunities

Power Sector Foundations Training
Diversity & Inclusion Module
Career Planning and Mentoring with Summer School mid-career professionals
Site Tour
Strategic Project Presentations
Communication Skills
Goal Setting
Networking with 100+ power sector professionals from undergraduates to current leaders
Exec Insights Online Sessions
NEM Basics Online Course
API Professional Skills Online Module
API Professional Communities Online Module
Enrolment in POWERful Women Leadership Program (where appropriate)

Bonus access to the API's Online Academy Courses

10x Executive Insights Online Sessions
NEM Basics Online Course
API Professionals Skills Online Module
Strategic Project Presentation recordings

Leadership development

Enhance your potential and leadership development
Explore technical challenges and opportunities in the sector
Learn from and connect with industry leaders

Career guidance

Gain valuable insights and inspiration to guide your career progression
Become more effective and competitive for technical roles

Networking opportunities

Join an elite group of professionals dedicated to making a significant impact in the power industry
Build relationships to pave your career in the power sector

"A must-attend for any Australian power engineer in their career at some point."

- Amali Wickramasinghe

Invest in Strengthening your knowledge and networks

Connect with peers, executives and professionals nation-wide

Past participants of our residential programs (and their managers) consistenly share that the value of our programs lie in the knowledge and the deeply developed professional networks created through the unique residential school/retreats - 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 will not only connect with your peers in the Powerful Women Undergraduate Retreat, you will also share the experience and connect with 40+ early career professionals in 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:

Exploring the Strategic Challenges in the Power Industry - Summer School 2024 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.

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.

Access the 2024 Strategic Project Presentation Recordings, Executive Summaries, and challenge questions posed by industry leaders in the 'Executive Insights' series below.

What to expect

Summer School Career Starter - 2025 Roadmap

The 'Powerful Women Undergraduate 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:

Attending the 10x online Executive Insights Sessions to build your knowledge on key industry challenges in the power sector from industry experts and leaders;
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;
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 kickstart your leadership career
PLUS bonus access to the API's Online Academy Courses (including AEMO's NEM Basics Course)

February

February - April

20 May - 23 May

Future

Attend the online induction and join the nation-wide Executive Insights Program

Attend the 10x online Executive Insights sessions + Q&A in June

Attend the 4 day residential retreat during the 2 week Summer School in Melbourne

Return with a national network, strategic insights, and enhanced skills

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 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.

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 and 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: programs@api.edu.au

Pro tip: You can register your order without the names of participants to secure the early bird rate.

Registration deadlines

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 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