The aim of the first "Girls with Hi-Vis'' day was to highlight opportunities for women in trades and technical roles in the industry and about 35 people, mostly high school pupils from the wider Central Otago area, took part on Tuesday.
Organiser Jen McLean, an electrical generation technician with Contact Energy, said the feedback had been amazing, "but we can always do better for next time''.
As well as touring the dam and carrying out a fault-finding exercise, those taking part heard from four women working in the hydro-generation industry.
"The feedback we got was that everyone was happy with the day and especially loved the fault-finding exercise, getting out there and doing some activities.''
Less than 4% of Connexis' trade and technical trainees are women.
Connexis is the industry training organisation for the infrastructure industry.
"As well as bringing more skilled people into the workforce, women bring a whole new set of skills and fresh perspectives to the sector,'' Mrs McLean said.
There was a huge range of career opportunities in the infrastructure industry, ranging from working in an office through to being outside every day, working with technical equipment and machines and working in teams.
"For me, I love the camaraderie and technical challenges.''
Mrs McLean learnt her trade as an electrician in Canada and continued her apprenticeship after moving to New Zealand, working all over the South Island in the generation and transmission industry.
After a break to have a family, she settled into her role at the Clyde Dam "where I'm part of the asset team that keeps the turbines spinning and the plant running.
"I love my work for the variety it offers, the challenges I face in problem-solving and trouble-shooting, the safety of the industry and the constant learning that takes place in a technical environment.
"There are so many people around that support my learning and help me to grow - I call this place the ‘University of Hydro' ... it's basically a dream job for me,'' she said.
