Making the transition from power station to drones

Adrian Taylor works at one of Collie’s power stations as a control room operator. But as the town shifts away from coal and its planned retirement draws closer, employees are preparing for their futures.  

The Western Australian Government has invested nearly $700 million into Collie’s transition to a net zero economy. Some of this funding has gone towards retraining programs and grants, enabling affected power station workers to find new work, or help grow or diversify Collie’s economy by starting a new business. Adrian chose the latter.  

‘When they announced the closure of the coal-fired power station, I had to do something. I was a bit too young to retire. My wife came up with the idea of a drone business,’ Adrian said.  

In 2022, Adrian and his wife Sharen decided to pursue a future in drones and started a business, Drone Elevation, which will help develop mapping services for the region.  

To get the business off the ground, they received funding through the Collie Futures Small Grants Program, which helped them purchase equipment for the business.  

Adrian reached out to the Collie Jobs and Skills Centre – a WA government initiative – which offers services and advice on building resumes, upskilling and retraining for new careers.  

Natalie, the centre’s former manager helped prepare the grant application and sourced training programs focused on drones. 

Natalie admits it was challenging time for Adrian as he was one of the first clients to visit the centre in 2022. The centre was newly established, and the team were still navigating the transition themselves and how best they could offer genuine support to impacted workers and the community to prepare them for change. 

‘He had enough faith to know that it was new. He was first, he was early, and that came with ... natural problems and he saw it through with us,’ Natalie said.  

The Jobs and Skills Centre has since supported many others on their transition journeys, including Pusky, who started a pizza business on wheels.  

The team provide employment and training support for anyone who needs it in the community – not just transitioning workers.  

So, what advice does Adrian have for other transitioning workers?  

‘Well, you need to make your mind up to do something to start with and then go for it. Just have a crack and know you can always change’ Adrian said. ‘Just give it your best and see what you can get out of it.’ 

Adrian encourages anyone affected by the planned closures of the power stations to start thinking about the future and what it is they want to do next while they’re in stable jobs.  

‘Get into it while you still have a job, then you can actually branch out while you're there, while you've still got a good backing,’ he said. ‘Don't wait until the last minute and the job finishes and then decide … in case it's not what you want.’  

See how workers and communities are being supported on the path to net zero.