In June 2024, Pierre Venter joined UGL as a lineworker in our utilities business, bringing with him 30 years of contracting experience. His deep knowledge of systems made his transition seamless, and his passion for growth quickly led him to take on leadership roles.
"I started with two small crews, and even though we were new, I wanted to see what the role was all about," Pierre shares. His journey at UGL has been about growth, leadership, and making an impact within a company which values culture, safety, and employee development.
Pierre’s willingness to step up and offer guidance didn’t go unnoticed. His proactive attitude and natural leadership led him to discuss system improvements with his manager. “We had systems controls in place, and I passed on ideas for how we could improve,” he says.
From crew leader to construction supervisor, Pierre now leads multiple crews, helping them grow and thrive. "We’re growing and recruiting within our team," he says with enthusiasm. Starting with just two crews of five, Pierre now oversees 25 team members in the field, with another 25 in training and onboarding.
Pierre’s team focuses on projects related to powerlines and distribution networks, working on 11-33kV lines with specialised techniques like glove and barrier methods. "Our specialty is gloving," Pierre explains, "which is a high-level skill, and each state has different rules, so it's important that we ensure compliance with regulations." This attention to detail and commitment to safety is part of what makes UGL’s projects stand out. The team adheres to rigorous testing standards, ensuring their work not only meets expectations but exceeds them.
For Pierre, UGL isn’t just a workplace, it’s a community. "What makes UGL a great company to work for is the culture of support and open dialogue with leaders,” he says.
UGL designs, constructs, and maintains critical infrastructure in the power sector, offering end-to-end services from concept to operations. UGL will deliver a major maintenance and upgrade program for Western Power’s SWIS network, spanning Western Australia. The five-year agreement, covers distribution and transmission services across the state, serving over 2.3 million customers.
