Summer School 2026: How to Make a Case to Your Employer for This Exclusive Workforce Development Opportunity
- Emily Marschke
- Oct 29
- 3 min read
The clock is ticking for the early bird registration deadline, 30 November 2025, for the API Summer School Programs, and with it comes a unique opportunity to transform your career in the power sector.
Designed to equip professionals at every stage of their career with strategic, technical, and leadership capability, this suite of programs stands out as one of the most impactful workforce-development investments available in the Australian energy industry.
If you’re excited about attending but unsure how to gain your employer’s support, here’s how to make a compelling case and why the API Summer School is more than just a professional development course.
Why Summer School+ Is a Transformational Program
For more than 20 years, the API Summer School+ has united professionals from across Australia’s electricity networks, renewables, regulators, government, and suppliers in a two-week residential experience unlike any other.
Participants gain exposure to strategic challenges and real-world leadership lessons through interactive sessions, case studies, and executive panels — all co-designed by industry, for industry.
As Manju Puthanveetil (BE MIEAust CPEng APEC Engineer IntPE [Aust]), Endeavour Energy, reflected:
“Those two weeks transformed my sense of what leadership means in our industry. The professional relationships formed during the program are ones I will carry forward for a lifetime.”
Complementing the flagship program are three connected leadership retreats designed for different career stages, from undergraduate women and early-career engineers to mid-career professionals stepping into leadership. Each retreat shares the same high-quality content, industry focus, and integrated online learning experiences.
All participants also join the Executive Insights series and the Powerful Women Leadership Program, ensuring consistent access to sector leaders and ongoing capability development across the API’s learning ecosystem.
Executive Insights: Learning from the Sector’s Best
The Executive Insights Program is a 10-session online component that brings together CEOs and senior leaders from across the Australian power sector. Each session explores a critical strategic issue shaping the sector, from grid modernisation and digital transformation to workforce capability and diversity.
Participants then continue these discussions during the in-person Summer School, developing recommendations and action plans that are shared back with the broader Executive Insights community.
Registration for Executive Insights is open to all, and API member organisations receive complimentary annual registrations (10 for Governor Members, 6 for Principal, and 2 for Industry Members).
Powerful Women Leadership Retreat
A defining feature of the Summer School is its integration with the Powerful Women Leadership Program, supporting 30 female undergraduates and early-career professionals each year.
Held during the second week of the Summer School, this retreat builds leadership confidence and stakeholder-engagement skills, while connecting participants with mentors and senior women from across the sector.
Importantly, it’s not a separate stream, emerging and established leaders learn side by side, strengthening gender diversity and collaboration across generations of professionals
Which Program Is Right for You?
Real-World Impact: Voices from Alumni
Vishnu Ramaraj (RPEQ, CPEng, NER), Energy Queensland, described the experience as transformative:
“Being surrounded by such a diverse and accomplished group was both inspiring and intimidating. I left feeling energised, more confident, and part of a broader community working toward a more sustainable power system.”
Participants consistently highlight the confidence, perspective, and connections they gain. Alumni continue to collaborate long after the program ends across projects, companies, and even states strengthening the capability of the entire power sector.
How to Make the Case to Your Employer
Here are three key points to emphasise when discussing your participation with your employer:
Direct Alignment with Organisational Goals Demonstrate how the program supports your organisation’s objectives — from enabling renewable integration to improving stakeholder engagement and workforce capability.
Enhanced Problem-Solving Capability The Summer School’s case-study approach means you’ll return with actionable solutions and practical tools to tackle complex challenges.
Long-Term ROI The leadership, communication, and strategic-thinking skills developed during the program deliver lasting benefits for both you and your employer.
To make it even easier, API provides customisable Employer Support Letter templates for each program stream. Download and personalise these when seeking approval from your manager or HR team.
Act Now – Early Bird Closes 30 November 2025
Early Bird registration offers the best value for API member organisations and participants — but spots are limited. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformational learning experience and Australia’s most connected power-sector leadership network.
Learn more and nominate participants at www.api.edu.au/summer-school-programs Contact programs@api.edu.au for nomination details or employer templates.
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