Trust Horizon investments in education lead to bright new career pathways

Tom Brennan at Islington Substation.

Trust Horizon has been helping build a new generation of qualified electrical workers for more than 20 years. With a range of scholarships, training courses, and apprenticeship support, the Trust aims to create an equitable and thriving workforce for the Eastern Bay’s rangatahi.

Over the decades, this support has seen numerous young locals go on to establish thriving careers in the electrical industry. Back in 2006, one of those young locals was Tom Brennan. 

By his last year at Whakatāne High School, Tom already had a growing interest in engineering. When a high school careers advisor suggested applying for Trust Horizon’s Taster Course, he jumped at the opportunity.

Co-funded by the Trust and Connexis, the week-long course saw Tom and nine other year 12 and 13 students gain in-depth insights into the electricity supply industry. 

“The course was a great balance of getting out in the field, coupled with theory work where we learnt the fundamentals of the power system,” says Tom. “After the week was up, I thought, this looks like an interesting industry to work in, with some really good career opportunities.”

On completing the course, Tom received the Top Trainee Award. Then he applied for – and received – scholarships to study electrical engineering at the University of Canterbury, with funding from the Trust. 

Since graduating university, Tom’s career has evolved from strength to strength. His first 2.5 years in the industry were spent in Tauranga at engineering consulting company, Beca. Tom then enjoyed a stint in the United Kingdom as a project engineer at Siemens, before returning to a role at Beca in Christchurch, where he spent a further 6.5 years honing his expertise in hazardous areas (explosive atmospheres). 

Tom explains that the Taster Course and scholarships provided a valuable boost in confidence that would go on to shape his future. “Experiencing that early success gave me the confidence to always have a go, so that’s been my approach ever since.”

It’s an approach that saw Tom spend his first two years post-university teaching English in Japan, as part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme. It also led to his membership of several local and international standardisation committees for equipment used in explosive atmospheres. And in 2022, Tom was thrilled to represent New Zealand in San Francisco at the International Electrotechnical Commission's Young Professionals Programme.

Tom’s success story is one of many to have emerged from Trust Horizon’s educational initiatives across the years. Education is a pillar of the Trust’s dedication to work-ready rangatahi. In the last 30 years, this dedication has led Trust Horizon to invest over $4.5 million into inspiring hundreds of young people to become part of a motivated, ambitious, equitable and skilled future workforce. 

“Trust Horizon continues to see education as a key area for continued investment, and this year we are hoping to see more apprentices and engineers apply for support,” says Trust Horizon Chief Executive, Derek Caudwell. “We don’t always know what the future holds for those we support with education grants, but stories like Tom’s show it can lead to some truly amazing opportunities.”

In his most recent opportunity, Tom has returned to the electricity supply industry, taking on a new role at Transpower. “I’m excited to get stuck into some really interesting projects, and play a part in helping New Zealand decarbonise and maintain a reliable electricity supply,” he says. 

“Trust Horizon’s early support has let me achieve things I otherwise might not have been able to, and almost 20 years later I’m still so grateful. So thank you to the Trust for the great work you’re doing in the local community. It really does make a difference.” 

Start here to learn more about how we create career pathways with our apprenticeships.