The Victorian Government has announced a new $3 million training package to upskill energy workers.
In a suite of training programs to be rolled out by Solar Victoria, a $1.5 million investment will provide 1,000 plumbers and fourth-year apprentices with free training in the design and installation of solar hot water systems and energy-efficient heat pumps.
Another $500,000 will provide free training for 400 electricians and fourth-year apprentices to design and install rooftop solar and home battery systems securely.
The State Government will also invest $250,000 to assist Aboriginal businesses in participating in the renewable energy industry to increase employment involvement across the community.
Through a $100,000 mentorship program, the package will attract more women to take the initial steps towards a career in the solar and renewable energy industries.
Minister for Education and Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins stated, “We want to ensure our renewables sector reflects our community – so everyone gets a fair go. That’s why we’re supporting more women to take on apprenticeships and providing mentoring to those starting out in the industry.”
Additionally, the State Government will extend mentorship programs to offer 40 extra placements, allowing certified electricians, electrical engineers, and licenced electrical inspectors to receive free on-site technical mentoring and follow-up assistance while installing or inspecting solar PV and battery systems.
According to the Andrews Government, with the increased demand for installations, more workers will enter the solar industry for the first time. The Government will invest $150,000 in safety solar training in regional areas, financing for site supervisor training, and new training for the safe handling of solar panels to guarantee best practices across the industry.
Another $300,000 will go towards research to find trends and skills gaps that will enable the industry to take advantage of the possibilities presented by the energy transition and maintain the sector’s growth.
The State Government is also bringing back the State Electricity Commission (SEC) to lower electricity costs, reduce emissions, and create up to 59,000 renewable energy jobs, with at least 6,000 reserved for apprentices and trainees.
“We’re bringing back the SEC, and with it, the next generation of the energy workforce — from tradespeople to the energy jobs of the future,” Minister for the State Electricity Commission Lily D’Ambrosio said.
The SEC Energy Jobs and Skills Forum is currently underway. The Forum is one of the steps to guarantee the energy workforce is equipped to meet future demand and that it has safe, secure, meaningful work.
Renewable energy sector experts, employers and unions, peak organisations, Traditional Owner groups, TAFEs, universities, technical schools, and training providers have collaborated to build the Victorian Energy Jobs Plan and inform the design of the SEC Centre of Training Excellence.
The Victorian Government is committing $12 million for a business case for the SEC Centre of Training Excellence, the Victorian Energy Jobs Plan, new VET qualifications, and $10 million to a Hydrogen Energy Worker Training Centre and $6 million to a Wind Worker Training Centre.
In addition, a $50 million TAFE Clean Energy Fund has been established to train workers with the required critical skills.
The Fund includes $6 million for Stage 2 of the Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Training Centre at Federation TAFE in Ballarat, $5 million for TAFE Gippsland to establish a Clean Energy Centre in Morwell, and $5 million for South West TAFE to establish a Building Innovation and Design Centre in Warrnambool.
The SEC is supported by a $1 billion government investment, which will be strategically invested to help deliver 4.5 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2035 – the equivalent replacement capacity of Loy Yang A. The first project to benefit from the SEC’s pioneer investment will be announced later this year.
“A renewable economy will create enormous opportunities for government, industry, the education and training sector and workforces across the state – and we want to make sure Victorian workers will reap the rewards,” Minister for Skills and Training Gayle Tierney said.
