Renewable energy skills program launched

Australia’s Clean Energy Council (CEC) has devised a new program for job seekers to gain the skills needed to work across large-scale wind, solar and storage projects. At the same time, the program will enable employers to mobilise a safe, competent and qualified trade workforce.

Based on 12 months of consultation with the sector, the ‘Clean energy, job ready’ program features industry-agreed skills, training, career pathways and a digital skills passport to support and attract more tradies, apprentices and job seekers to the renewable energy industry, closing critical skills gaps as Australia navigates its energy transition. It is geared primarily towards job seekers in Victoria and Queensland.

Arron Wood, Clean Energy Council Chief Policy and Impact Officer, said the program comes at a critical time for the industry after the Australian Government reaffirmed its commitment at the last election to deliver on its 82% renewable energy target by 2030 — a move that is set to create thousands of new jobs and opportunities for skilled workers.

It’s estimated that an additional 40,000 workers will be needed to meet the government’s renewable energy targets.

“The lack of standardisation in training and skills requirements across employers has traditionally posed a challenge for the industry and creates confusion for workers and students trying to understand the prerequisites to be ready for clean energy jobs,” Wood explained.

“The ‘Clean energy, job ready’ program is the result of our close collaboration with industry in Victoria and Queensland to define a common, consistent set of skills and training requirements for clean energy projects. This sector-wide standardisation is key to closing workforce gaps, and accelerating our shift to a green economy,” he added.

“From tradespersons from regional areas, adjacent industries, under-represented groups to mature talent with transferrable skills, the Skills Passport and Career Pathways help workers understand the skills needed to pursue careers in the sector.”

CEC is partnering with workforce software company MyPass to provide the program. MyPass CEO Matt Smith said the program delivered an industry-wide training matrix and a suite of digital tools to help employers manage workforce compliance easily, while providing clear pathways for workers and students to pursue careers in clean energy.

It includes the following:

• Training matrix: An industry-agreed guide for qualifications, licences and safety training needed for trade roles at clean energy projects, to simplify workforce planning and recruitment for clean employers and training providers.
• Skills passport: A digital platform provided by MyPass that enables workers to upload their qualifications and credentials for validation based on role-specific and site-specific requirements, assisting workers in moving across roles and between projects with ease. The platform helps employers efficiently manage workforce competency to maintain safe work and operational agility.
• Career pathways: A new online platform for workers, students, apprentices and those looking to make a career change to explore the clean energy trade roles and training they need to get job ready, sooner.
   

“We are pleased to be working with workforce technology leaders MyPass to launch ‘Clean energy, job ready’, as their deep industry experience means they understand the scale and depth of the challenge in ensuring we can deliver a successful and timely energy transition, on the ground and across multiple projects,” Wood said.

The ‘Clean energy, job ready’ program is funded by the Victorian Government’s Workforce Training and Innovation Fund and developed in partnership with TAFE Gippsland and Federation University; and by the Queensland Government in partnership with Energy Skills Queensland.

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