Qld's $23m renewable energy training facility

The Queensland Government has launched a state-of-the-art new training facility for renewable energy, with the aim of giving workers the skills they will need for the thousands of jobs to be created under its Energy and Jobs Plan.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk officially opened Electro Group’s Renewable Energy Training Facility (RETF) at Pinkenba, where Cabinet also met.

“Our investment of $17 million towards this $23 million training centre of excellence will help create a skilled future workforce to provide cheaper, cleaner and secure energy for Queenslanders,” Palaszczuk said.

“The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan will create around 100,000 new jobs, so facilities like this are critical in developing the skills to build new clean energy infrastructure and industries.

“As part of our plan, we will build Australia’s largest energy SuperGrid, delivering clean, reliable and affordable energy to power Queensland homes and industry.

“The Renewable Energy Training Facility will provide world’s best practice in electrical, solar renewable energy and telecommunications training, creating a future-ready workforce and supporting our students to reach their full potential.

“This is a significant training centre not only for the region but for the state, in partnership with the Electrical Trades Union and Master Electricians Australia.”

The investment was part of the Palaszczuk government’s Queensland Economic Recovery Strategy: Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs.

RETF is owned and operated by Electro Group Training (EGT), which will offer qualifications in renewable energy, train apprentices, and assist licensed electricians in upgrading their skills to install, operate and manage solar and other renewable energy equipment safely.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said Queensland’s energy transformation presents the state’s greatest jobs opportunity in a generation.

“The Queensland SuperGrid and our plan to use local companies, via onshore component manufacturing wherever possible, will generate an expected 64,000 direct and indirect jobs in its construction and even more in its operation,” he said.

“Our plan invests in skills, training and support for both our existing energy sector workforce and creating the new jobs and careers of tomorrow.”

This project is complemented by the $10.6 million Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Training Facility at Bohle TAFE in Townsville, as part of the $100 million Equipping TAFE for our Future initiative.

The SuperGrid is all of the elements in the electricity system, including poles, wires, solar, wind and storage; its aim is to provide Queenslanders with renewable power for generations.

Image credit: iStock.com/Thurtell