Transmission, Distribution and Rail Industry Reference Committee (IRC)
The Transmission, Distribution and Rail IRC is made up of industry leaders and experts and acts as a conduit between the Transmission, Distribution and Rail industries and the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC).
The ESI Transmission, Distribution and Rail (ESI TDR) industry refers to Australia’s infrastructure networks that are used to transport high-voltage electricity from the generation point to distribution networks; and then directly to domestic and industrial users.
The ESI Transmission Distribution and Rail IRC are responsible for ensuring the UET Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector Training Package meets the needs of the industry and provides nationally recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications for occupations involved in:
- Transmission Structure and Line Assembly
- National Broadband Network Cabling
- Asset Inspection
- Power Systems – Transmission Overhead (erection of towers, poles, structures and associated hardware)
- Power Systems – Distribution Overhead (installation, maintenance and inspection poles, structures and associated hardware)
- Power Systems – Distribution Cable Jointing
- Power Systems
- Power Systems Operations

The Committee
Chair: Peter Woods, Sydney Trains
Deputy Chair: Barry Heywood, Energy Safe Victoria
Committee members:
Gerard Coad, TasNetworks
Mike Millard-Hurst, Western Power
Leonie McCallum, TransGrid
Sarah Brunton, Electrical Trades Union
Anita Talberg, Clean Energy Council
Jill Cainey, Energy Networks Australia
Mark Burgess, Energy Space ACT

Peter Woods
Transmission, Distribution and Rail Industry Reference Committee Chair
Peter Woods is the Principal Assessor within the Electrical Distribution Unit at Sydney Trains with responsibility for managing and accrediting internal and external staff to work on the network.
Peter began his career as an apprentice electrician with Sydney Trains 37 years ago before progressing to roles as a tradesman and group leader and moving into training and assessing in 2003.
He has had a long association with the IRC, including development of a nationally endorsed Certificate III in Rail Traction, enabling workers to have their knowledge and skills training recognised across the country.

IRC Meeting Minutes
Summary minutes are shared for all IRC meetings to provide a high level summary of key issues discussed.

Erin Knudsen
Industry Skills Manager - ESI Transmission, Distribution & Rail
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0418 434 302