The Queensland Government has released its Clean Energy Workforce Roadmap, outlining a collaborative effort between government, industry workers, and the community to develop the future energy workforce.
The Roadmap, developed in consultation with over 90 key stakeholders, outlines regional communities and industry priorities to ensure the right skills are delivered in the right locations.
“Through the Clean Energy Workforce Roadmap, the Palaszczuk Government will develop the highly skilled workforce required to roll out Queensland’s transition to renewable energy so we can help Queenslanders cut emissions and save on power bills,” Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said.
“This roadmap, along with the Palaszczuk Government’s $150 million Job Security Guarantee, and laws introduced into Parliament this week, mean energy workers at Queensland’s publicly owned coal-fired power stations can be confident there will be good jobs for them and generations to come in regional Queensland,” Minister de Brenni stated.
Under the Clean Energy Workforce Roadmap, the State Government will invest $30 million to create a skilled, job-ready workforce to deliver Queensland’s clean energy transition.
The actions include:
- piloting Mobile Regional Energy Jobs Hubs across Queensland Renewable Energy Zone (QREZ) regions to connect regional communities to job opportunities.
- expanding the Gateway to Industry Schools program to include a dedicated renewable energy focus and online resources to assist teachers in delivering clean energy curriculum and student learning
- regionally tailored clean energy future skills demand/supply analysis and jobs opportunity guides
- launching a skills academy as part of Stanwell’s Future Energy Innovation and Training Hub in Rockhampton
- a program of investments in state-owned training infrastructure.
- expansion of the VET Emerging Industries initiative
- co-funding of up to 20 places in Engineers Australia Global Engineering Talent Pilot Program for future clean energy-related positions
According to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Queensland is poised to lead the clean energy revolution, harnessing its natural resources and establishing high-quality training and infrastructure.
“It’s why we released the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, focused on delivering more jobs and creating clean, reliable and affordable energy to provide power for generations,” Premier Palaszczuk stated.
“The Clean Energy Workforce Roadmap will further expand renewable energy training into more than 30 schools for 2,000 students across Queensland,” the Premier said.
“That includes establishing school to industry partnerships so that our young people can have the opportunity to have access to good paying and secure jobs in the regions they are living in,” she added.
Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the Clean Energy Workforce Roadmap is the workforce plan supporting the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
“We know there will be demand for electrical trades jobs; engineering; construction; technicians; science and technology; corporate roles; and education, training and development. We are creating exciting pathways for Queenslanders. I urge school leavers and existing workers to explore career opportunities in the Future Energy Jobs Guide,” Minister Farmer stated.
“All this builds on the strong workforce foundations set out in our Queensland Workforce Strategy and the more than $1.2 billion we invest annually delivering high quality training and exciting career pathways for Queenslanders,” she explained.
Energy Skills Queensland has welcomed the release of the Roadmap.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to vocational training, to Queensland’s universities and to pathways for students in our schooling system augurs well for the future. Transforming the workforce now helps begin that journey while laying a critical and positive platform for the industry over the longer-term,” Energy Skills Queensland CEO David Cross said.
Cross noted that training organisations are crucial for equipping electrical trades, engineering, construction, and technical workers.
He added that the development must be guided by quality real-time data, verifiable competencies, and skills management.
Greater Whitsunday Alliance CEO Kylie Porter said Queensland’s clean energy transformation is closely linked to the region’s workforce’s skills and expertise.
“Our long history in mining; mining equipment, technology and services (METS); and manufacturing means our regional workers will be at the forefront of supporting Queensland as its transforms our energy sector for a cleaner future,” Porter stated.
“We look forward to utilising Queensland’s Clean Energy Workforce Roadmap to maximise the workforce and supply opportunities within the Isaac Renewable Energy Zone,” he added.
