The Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence will provide training in clean energy technologies, including solar, wind, hydrogen, batteries and grid integration. Photo: WA Government.
The Western Australian and Federal Governments have announced a joint five-year investment of $70.5 million to establish Australia’s first TAFE Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence (CoE).
To be rolled out and operate across the WA TAFE network, the CoE aims to be a skills leader in clean energy science, engineering, construction, and operation. A joint statement says it will support the net zero transformation and the Federal Government’s Future Made in Australia initiative.
The Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence will:
- Innovate training in clean energy technologies, including solar, wind, hydrogen, batteries and grid integration, and fast-track development and delivery of higher and degree-equivalent apprenticeship pathways
- Equip students with practical skills and knowledge-based capabilities to support innovation in the clean energy sector
- Build on existing collaborations between WA TAFEs, universities, and industry to co-design industry relevant training programs, facilitate applied research, and strengthen entry pathways between VET and higher education
- Partner with industry to drive skill development and support participation of more Western Australians, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and women, in clean energy jobs
- Network with TAFEs in other states and leverage partnerships with universities, Jobs and Skills Councils, employers, and unions to build the clean energy skills base across Australia.
The CoE will expand access to clean energy skills training opportunities at TAFE campuses in metropolitan Perth, as well as regional centres including Kalgoorlie, Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton, Karratha, and Broome.
It aims to increase the number of apprentices in trades such as electrical, engineering, automotive mechanical, plumbing, air conditioning, refrigeration, metal fitting and machining, all of which they say are vital to ensuring Australia has the skills required to achieve net zero by 2050.
Of the $70.5 million, the Federal Government will invest $37.79 million, while the WA Government will contribute $32.75 million.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor said the investment highlighted the importance of developing and building clean energy skills for the net zero transition.
“This centre of excellence in WA will help develop high quality, responsive skills training in the critical and rapidly evolving clean energy economy,” he said.
“Working with states and territories, we’re establishing up to 20 TAFE centres of excellence that will help respond to our most critical national skills needs.”
WA Premier Roger Cook said his government had plans for clean energy in the state, and that the vision was shared by the Federal Government and industry.
“As we leverage WA’s natural advantages to become a global clean energy powerhouse, the transition will offer a range of exciting opportunities for Western Australians to pursue careers and take up quality jobs of the future,” he said.
“It is important that we are at the forefront of best practice in skilling and upskilling our workers for the clean energy jobs that will support the transition, with the world’s eyes looking to WA as our people and industries lead the charge towards a clean energy future.
“The new centre of excellence will skill thousands of Western Australians to take up quality clean energy jobs, and I thank the Albanese Government for recognising WA as a key driver in the charge towards a clean energy future.”
The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) of Australia welcomed the investment announcement.
“This investment in clean energy skills training is a crucial building block for our nation’s transition to a net zero emissions future,” ETU National Secretary Michael Wright said.
“The centre of excellence will play a pivotal role in equipping the next generation of electricians and other skilled workers with the expertise needed to build and maintain the clean energy future.
“The Electrical Trades Union looks forward to working closely with government and industry to make this a success,” he added.
“Together, we will build a skilled workforce that will drive Australia’s transition to a clean energy future and secure our nation’s economic prosperity for generations to come.”
