Goldenfields Water and Charles Sturt University (CSU) have 'engineered' a new partnership that will see local students delivering the next generation of drinking water supply services for the South West Slopes and Riverina regions.

Mr Phillip Rudd, General Manager of Goldenfields Water and Professor Euan Lindsay, CSU's Foundation Professor of Engineering shook hands on the deal last week – paving the way for the first cadet engineer to join Goldenfields Water in 2017.

"Charles Sturt University is an integral part of our region and delivers world-class higher education to rural and regional students," Mr Rudd said.

"We're very proud to be a foundation partner of the University's exciting new engineering program and to give cadet engineers a unique chance to start working in the profession.

"I started my career as a cadet engineer at a local council and I've seen first-hand how valuable opportunities like this can be for a student's career, an organisation's growth and the engineering profession's development.

"Engineers are at the forefront of designing, planning and improving the community's vital infrastructure and there is none more important than its drinking water supply network.

"Under the guidance of our experienced expert engineers, the cadets will be helping us to provide modern water supply services across a vast and complex system," Mr Rudd said.

The first cadet engineer will be employed for initial 12-month period after which Goldenfields Water will look at potentially extending their role for another three years.

Professor Lindsay said the CSU engineering program's foundation partners, including Goldenfields Water, would help the University lead the way with establishing a new kind of engineer uniquely placed to meet the demands of industry.

"Goldenfields Water's commitment to a new era of innovative water supply service delivery fits perfectly with Charles Sturt University' vision to create modern entrepreneurial engineers," Professor Lindsay said.

"I would like to thank Goldenfields Water for its substantial investment in helping us build a pool of sought-after engineers as well as securing our profession's long-term future."

Read more about CSU's Bachelor of Technology/Master of Engineering (Civil Systems) here.