Power UP Forum Brings Members Together to Shape the 2026 Program

On 21 October, the Australian Power Institute hosted the second Power UP Forum for 2026, bringing together representatives from multiple API member organisations to share feedback, discuss industry needs, and help shape the future direction of the Power UP Program. 

The Power UP Forum is a key touchpoint in our annual program planning cycle. It provides space for member organisations to come together as a community, reflect on what’s working, and explore opportunities to strengthen support for undergraduates and early career professionals entering the power sector. There have now been two in 2025 and we will be holding these forums again in 2026. 

This October forum focused on reviewing the 2025 Power UP experience and looking ahead to 2026. Members discussed student engagement trends, placement timelines, technical skill development, and the increasingly important focus on work readiness — including communication, problem solving, and the ability to navigate real-world project environments. 

What We Heard 

Members shared consistent, valuable feedback, including: 

• The Power UP Scholarship and Learning Journal continues to be meaningful tools in developing student confidence and industry literacy. 

• Early clarity around placement timelines helps employers plan resourcing more effectively. 

• Providing students with more visibility of different career pathways in the energy sector is increasingly important as roles and organizations diversify across the transition. 

• Continued collaboration between industry and the API is essential to maintaining high-quality student experiences. 

Looking Toward Power UP 2026 

The session also explored what’s coming in 2026, including: 

• Increased focus on career readiness and mentoring, especially during placements. 

• Continued growth of the Power UP Community, building a national network of students committed to the energy transition. 

• Stronger alignment between academic calendars and industry engagement points. 

As always, feedback from our members is central to how we shape the program. The Power UP Forum remains one of the most valuable ways we ensure that the Power Up Scholarship and Community continues to be relevant, supportive, and impactful — for students and for the organizations who welcome them into the power sector. 

Thank You 

A warm thank you to all members who attended and contributed to the discussion. 

 Your insights directly influence how we develop the next generation of power engineers, analysts, project managers, operators, planners, and energy leaders. 

Together, we are building a workforce ready to shape Australia’s power system of tomorrow.