What does turning an entry-level role into a career filled with global travel, hands-on experience, and impactful work take?
For Lizzie Bright, starting as a receptionist at EDL wasn’t just the beginning of a job—it was the start of a whole new career adventure!
Through initiative, determination, and support from her employer, Lizzie has transformed her interest in workplace safety into a thriving career as a Health and Safety Advisor. EDL’s traineeship program equipped her with the skills to succeed and opened opportunities to travel across Australia and the United States in her new role.
Discover the steps Lizzie took to make her ambitions a reality. Her story showcases how embracing growth can open doors to extraordinary opportunities – especially when you’ve got the right employer backing you.
The journey from receptionist to health and safety advisor
“After working in our Brisbane office for a few years, I became interested in workplace health and safety. Since EDL is a leading global producer of sustainable distributed energy, I knew there were opportunities for me to grow in this discipline.”
Lizzie’s proactive approach paid off when EDL offered her an HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) Traineeship. The program included a six-month rotation through critical areas like HSE Management Systems, Environment, and Health and Safety.
“I learned a lot during this time, and it motivated me to want to develop my career. Following the traineeship, I was offered my current role as Health and Safety Advisor, which I began last year – and I haven’t looked back!”
In her role, Lizzie supports health and safety operations across EDL’s national and international sites:
“I’ve traveled to our sites across Australia and the United States, gaining hands-on experience. I assist with safety inspections, risk assessments, training, incident reporting, compliance monitoring, and emergency preparedness to ensure a safe work environment.”
EDL offers a range of career development pathways to help you find the most sustainable career fit for you.
Compare their other benefits and policies and explore current job openings.Traineeships at EDL: Building careers in sustainable energy
EDL offers various opportunities for individuals looking to grow their careers, including structured programs like traineeships and graduate initiatives. These pathways provide hands-on experience, rotational learning, and exposure to different facets of the business.
For example, the company’s health, safety, and environment (HSE) traineeships emphasize skill development in critical areas such as management systems, environmental practices, and workplace safety. Participants benefit from mentorship and the chance to contribute directly to meaningful projects in the sustainable energy sector.
Reflecting on her trajectory, Lizzie shares:“After a few years of working with EDL, I pursued a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety. That certification opened doors for me, and in January 2022, I started an 18-month HSE traineeship, rotating through different areas of the profession.”
The traineeship proved pivotal, allowing Lizzie to deepen her expertise and gain practical experience. She completed her training in July 2023 and successfully transitioned into her current role. Lizzie adds:
“What I appreciate most is EDL’s commitment to growing its people and creating a talent pipeline. The traineeship exposed me to varied projects and teams, helping me build confidence and apply my skills to real-world challenges.”
EDL’s traineeship programs help individuals cultivate technical skills and empower employees to carve fulfilling career paths well into their future—something Lizzie is excited to keep exploring.
From front desk to fieldwork
For Lizzie, one of the most exciting aspects of her role is the opportunity to combine her passion for travel with meaningful work in renewable energy.
“Before starting my career, I lived in Canada for two years, enjoying living in a snow town and snowboarding most winter days. In my new role, I enjoy traveling to different sites and witnessing our operational teams’ hard work and dedication firsthand. It gives me a deeper understanding of the importance of safety in our daily operations and how HSE contributes to keeping our frontline workers safe.”
EDL is at the forefront of providing innovative, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions. This makes it an exciting workplace for those passionate about creating a cleaner future.
“It’s great to be part of a renewable energy company and to know that our work contributes towards more sustainable energy solutions. Seeing the energy we produce and the effort behind it encourages me to do my part to uphold safety and support our vision.”
Lizzie highlights how careers at EDL offer opportunities to explore new places, make a tangible impact, and contribute to global sustainability efforts—all while fostering personal and professional growth.
The ultimate career advantage
Lizzie’s most fortuitous career move was joining an organization committed to creating progression opportunities for people throughout the global business. An added benefit? The supportive team environment:
“Since I’m still relatively new to this role, my biggest challenge is still finding my feet and learning more about the world of Health and Safety. The continuous support I’ve received from my team has been instrumental. I’m proud I committed myself to pursuing this role, which has led me to this fantastic career progression.”
Her next goal is to become a fully competent Health and Safety professional and continue to pursue avenues in her field as they arise—whatever they may be!
“Achieving a balance between personal fulfillment and professional accomplishments is what real success looks like to me. And EDL promotes a great work-life balance, which makes achieving this an easy thing to do. I definitely recommend saying ‘yes’ to new opportunities. You never know how far they can take you!”
