Good hydrogen jobs are on the way for Queensland students, courtesy of an exciting new collaboration between the Queensland Government and Energy Skills Queensland (ESQ).
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced that the popular Gateway to Industry Schools Program (GISP) would be expanded to include a new hydrogen-focused program that will connect students with local firms to help them explore career options in the field.
“We know a strong, skilled workforce will be needed to support the clean energy economy and the rollout of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, including the exciting opportunities in the hydrogen sector. And we know, many of our future hydrogen industry workers are currently in our schools thinking about their future careers,” Premier Palaszczuk said.
According to the Premier, it’s the reason why the State Government is collaborating with ESQ, to bring forth opportunities into the classroom and enable students to have experience and see whether working in the sector is right for them.
Education Minister and Acting Minister for Training and Skills Development Grace Grace said that the Hydrogen Gateway to Industry Schools Project would be implemented in at least 30 Queensland schools, involving over 2000 students over the next three years.
“I’m proud of the fantastic opportunities we are providing to our students right across Queensland, and we’re making sure they can explore what lies ahead in the world of work and further training while still at school,” Minister Grace added.
Minister Grace stated that many future hydrogen employees are already in classrooms, and with the new GISP project, ESQ can promote the hydrogen industry as a viable career option for students.
“The Hydrogen Gateway to Industry Schools project will be the 11th in the successful program, which helps attract students to our key industries,” the Minister said.
ESQ is a non-profit organisation that provides innovative solutions to assist in establishing a skilled and safe energy business.
According to Energy Minister Mick de Brenni, Queensland’s clean energy transformation created the most job opportunities in a generation.
“The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan is expected to deliver 100,000 jobs additional jobs in Queensland and our independent modelling confirms our $12 billion hydrogen opportunity could create 10,000 of those,” Minister de Brenni said.
The Minister added that they are consolidating Queensland’s position as a global green hydrogen leader with initiatives like the East Coast Hydrogen Superhighway and hydrogen training facilities, as well as electrolyser production and export capabilities.
“It’s through hydrogen initiatives like this program that are setting Queensland’s home-grown future workforce up to power the world’s economy,” he stated.
The Palaszczuk Government is investing over $50 million in hydrogen and renewable energy training infrastructure to ensure students have access to cutting-edge technologies.
New projects include:
- The industry-led Queensland Apprenticeships Centre in Beenleigh will get $20 million in Stage 2 renovation;
- Pinkenba will receive $17 million towards a $23 million Renewable Energy Training Facility;
- $10.6 million for a hydrogen and renewable energy teaching facility at Townsville’s Bohle Trade Training TAFE;
- $2 million to renovate Gladstone State High School’s facilities in order to train pupils for jobs in the hydrogen sector; and
- Under the $15 million VET Emerging Industries project, $4 million will go towards an energy training and skills strategy, which will include a TAFE renewable energy strategy, a hydrogen skills fund, and an electric car skills fund.
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