40 | Resilient network serves community from page 38 INFRASTRUCTURE Marlborough Lines “Because the level of reliability on all networks is so high there is now this expectation that the lights will never go out.” MLL is continually working to improve the networks and has a good programme of renewing assets but Tim says because of the level of electrification the other thing that changes now is where the load is in the network and what the peaks are. “We’re having to keep ahead of that. At the moment we’re investing quite heavily in our core network infrastructure to improve its resilience. “There have been some big projects this year and some early next year around focusing on that resilience and continuity of supply. We’re doing a lot of work and spending a lot of money and the best thing for me is that no-body ever notices, because that means it has worked.” With 150 employees including field staff, project staff, planning and engineering and corporate management, MLL is one of biggest employers in the region and has recently introduced a leadership development programme, which includes sending promising leaders to Outward Bound’s Professional Development course. “We sent four there last year and two this year,” says Tim. “We’ve brought in external providers to give that leadership training to make sure our staff have the right skills when they’re stepping up into roles, so we’re not just throwing them the keys and hoping.” Martin Rowe testing the new fully electric Ubco motorbike, used for asset inspections in remote areas. MLL is also providing tertiary education support for staff, particularly in the technical front. Next year MLL is sending one of its young linemen to Canterbury University full time for three years to do a commerce degree, on full pay. “When I was looking at mid-term succession, this young man’s name consistently came up. I had a chat to him and he cited the lack of formal education as being a barrier, so I thought that was a great segue to what I had in mind for him. I’m trying to look deep into the organisation and identify talent so that we have a really good succession plan through the business. I have people who have come off the tools working in project management and all sorts of areas in the business. People are seeing that kind of mobility across the organisation.” Marlborough Lines has always been a keen supporter of the community through sponsorship and recently introduced a formal sponsorship strategy called ‘Grow Marlborough Together’, focused on sponsoring youth development, the environment, and education. “We have really targeted those things and increased our tertiary scholarships. We have touch points all the way from pre-school right through to supporting science fairs and those sorts of things. “We also provide a lot of employment opportunities for people coming through the Marlborough Youth Trust where school hasn’t been their thing. “So it’s making the sponsorships more material and signing up for a term where we can really measure results.” “ Specialists in Agricultural Aviation, Lifting, Vineyard Spraying, Suspension Fertiliser Application, Charter ” Omaka Aerodrome, PO Box 731, Blenheim 7240 Ph 03 578 9684 Email info@marlheli.co.nz Operator of the low-drift Through Valve Spray Boom system
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