VIC
Next month’s State Electricity Commission (SEC) Energy Jobs and Skills Forum is set to bring together more than 200 experts and stakeholders including Traditional Owner groups, employers, TAFEs, universities, technical schools, training providers, local government and unions to help shape the State’s renewables workforce.
Minister for the SEC, Lily D’Ambrosio said the forum, to be held on 29 June, will help shape the Government’s first-of-its-kind Victorian Energy Jobs Plan, ensuring Victoria’s workforce meets the needs of the State’s energy transition and investments.
She says the plan will prioritise practical actions to address gaps and workforce shortfalls, and position Victoria as a renewable energy workforce leader.
“The Energy Jobs and Skills Forum is a big step towards creating the workforce for the SEC and deliver our nation-leading targets of 95% renewable energy by 2035 and net zero by 2045,” said Minister D’Ambrosio.
The Minister said that achieving the ambitious energy target by 2035 will require a massive increase in energy and storage capacity, including major new wind and solar farms and small community and household renewables assets, such as solar and batteries.
The forum will discuss the challenges and opportunities of building the workforce needed for Victoria’s energy transition, and how the sector can work with government and the training system to attract, train and retain workers.
“We’re training and upskilling the next generation of workers we will need to bring back the SEC and deliver even more renewable energy projects across the state,” said Minister for Skills and Training, Gayle Tierney.
The Government is investing an initial $1 billion towards delivering 4.5 gigawatts of power through new build renewable energy projects delivered by the SEC – the equivalent replacement capacity of coal-fired power station Loy Yang A, which is set to close in 2035.
The SEC Centre of Training Excellence will now undergo a business case following $5 million funding as part of the Victorian Budget 2023/24. The centre will coordinate and work with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority to accredit courses in renewable energy.
The energy and training package aims to deliver 6,000 apprentices, trainees and a pipeline of skilled renewable energy workers.
