Contact Energy (Contact) has been named the most sought-after energy and utilities employer for graduates in 2024 by graduate recruitment specialist Prosple.
Every year, Prosple ranks Aotearoa New Zealand’s best workplaces for people starting their career and recognises employers that have demonstrated a commitment to Kiwi graduates.
Contact secured the top spot for the energy and utilities sector. The energy, broadband and mobile provider also came second in Prosple’s overall Top 100 Graduates Employers for 2024.
Prosple’s graduate employer rankings are based on a combination of graduate programme popularity, such as the number of applications submitted for a programme, and the quality of a programme determined by the satisfaction of those taking part in it.
Recent graduates surveyed by Prosple gave Contact an overall satisfaction rating of 4.6 out of 5, citing the work culture, the interesting and positive work, and development opportunities as some of the top draws for working at the business.
Contact’s Chief People Experience Officer, Jan Bibby says Contact’s top positions in the graduate employer rankings complement the organisation’s aspiration to be the most desirable place to work in the country, with a workforce that reflects Aotearoa New Zealand.
“Nurturing homegrown young talent is very important, particularly with a widening skills gap and aging workforce. At Contact, we’re committed to developing the next generation of workers who will help us meet our vision of building a better future by leading the decarbonisation of New Zealand,” says Jan.
Contact’s graduate programme is in its fourth year and is increasing in popularity. The programme enables recent graduates to gain valuable skills and experience working across different areas of the business – from energy generation to IT– over 18 months, while earning a highly competitive salary.
“In return, recent graduates bring new perspectives and ideas which help us shape the future of the organisation,” adds Jan.
In this video, graduates taking part in the Contact programme talk about their work experience.
Engineering graduate, Flavia Purnomo says she’s really benefited from the programme.
“Contact’s graduate programme is a great stepping stone to get into the renewable energy industry after leaving university. The programme has allowed me to learn different aspects in the geothermal world not only limited to my degree, while receiving plenty of support along the way,” says Flavia.
“It’s extremely satisfying to know that my work contributes to something that everyone across New Zealand uses every day.”
Anyone interested in taking part in Contact’s 2025 graduate programme can submit an expression of interest here. Applications for next year’s programme open on 22 April 2024. More details about Contact’s graduate programme can be found on the Prosple website here.
Media enquiries
Lotty Hird
Senior Communications Advisor
M: 027 207 8684
E: lotty.hird@contactenergy.co.nz
About Contact’s graduate programme
About Contact
Contact Energy is one of New Zealand’s largest energy generators and retailers. We have more than 590,000 connections with electricity, gas, broadband and mobile plans. We are committed to leading the decarbonisation of New Zealand, and it is our vision to create and contribute to a better place to live; from the homes and communities we live in, to the land and resources that future generations can enjoy.
We are a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index Asia-Pacific(DJSI Asia-Pacific), which is a global benchmark for corporate sustainability, and winners of Sustainability Leadership Award at the 2023 Deloitte Top 200 Awards.
We aspire to be the most sought-after workplace in the country, with a workforce that reflects New Zealand. We were the first company in the country to be accredited with the Wellbeing Tick, and we are proud to have been certified with the Rainbow Tick since 2018.
Website: contact.co.nz
More information can be found in Contact’s 2023 Integrated Report