SA Power Networks opens first cyber security ‘kickstart’ program

SA Power Networks has commenced its first ‘kickstart’ program to train people with no prior experience in cyber security skills.

Head of cyber security and IT resilience Nathan Morelli told iTNews that as cyber risks increase, all organisations will need more skilled workers.

Pathway programs offer a way to develop talent, and have been used successfully by SA Power Networks in other technology domains.

“SA Power Networks has always been a great provider of pathways; the digital and technology graduate program is one of the most successful pathways we have,” Morelli said.

“Building a cyber pathway complements this by seeking to provide opportunities for non-IT graduates and those looking to make a career change.”

The cyber security kickstart program will take place over a two-year timeframe, with successful candidates working with SA Power Networks’ cyber security team across advisory, security operations and digital identity.

The electricity distributor is initially recruiting four people in total under its new program, with two applicants starting this July with a further two commencing early 2026.

Beyond that, Morelli said SA Power Networks is “aiming to bring on four kickstart pathway participants a year, or eight ongoing”. 

The participants will spend three days a week working alongside members of the cyber security team, and two days in a structured learning program run by the Australian Computer Society.

Morelli said the partnership with the Australian Computer Society came about to “ensure that our kickstart program participants would have the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in cyber security after their time with us.”

“We ended up going with the Australian Computer Society due to its ability to customise the pathway to best fit our team structure and working with us.” 

Morelli explained the program fits with the company’s wider technology strategy to underpin delivery of “a safe, reliable electricity supply to South Australia.”

“Having more skilled resources in our teams and the wider community is essential to delivering this,” he said.

“We saw this as an opportunity to use our brand and our reputation to help South Australia grow its cyber security talent, while giving our team opportunities to mentor and build talent to provide the cyber security community, both in SA and Australia, with more skilled workers.”