$15 million investment in state’s renewable energy workforce

THE NSW and Federal governments are investing $15 million over four years to train the skilled workforce needed for the state’s renewable energy rollout, set to create thousands of jobs in regional NSW.

The investment underpins the state’s Renewable Energy Skills Strategy, launched last week by Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe and Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan.

The Strategy supports the government’s Energy Roadmap, which is expected to generate around 7,000 jobs during peak construction and about 4,500 ongoing roles.

Jointly funded by the Federal and State governments, the Strategy builds the pipeline of skilled workers needed to design, build and maintain renewable energy generation, storage and transmission projects across the state.

The Strategy includes school-based trade taster programs through to apprenticeships engagement through to apprenticeships, traineeships and secure long-term employment.
It also includes targeted initiatives to increase participation by women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

As part of the investment, the Strategy will expand the Regional Industry Education Partnerships program, strengthening links between schools and renewable energy employers and giving students hands-on exposure to local career opportunities.

The Strategy will also create Skills Coordinator roles to work closely with renewable energy employers, training providers and local communities to support local students and workers into renewable energy jobs.

Transgrid will play a major role in delivering the Roadmap, including construction of the NSW component of EnergyConnect, Australia’s largest energy transmission project, and delivery of the Hunter Transmission Project, which will carry renewable energy from regional NSW to homes and businesses.

Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Penny Sharpe said, “The Energy Roadmap is delivering thousands of regional jobs across NSW to make sure families have energy they can trust and afford.

“Building renewable energy at scale means building the workforce to match, and this strategy connects students, apprentices and local workers with job opportunities.”