Victoria is leading the transition towards 95 per cent renewable electricity generation by 2035, which will create 59,000 jobs.
To do this the Victorian government is investing in the State Electricity Commission (SEC) to deliver more renewable energy and preparing the workforce with the right skills and training.
This investment was outlined in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 handed down this week.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the goal is to develop a pipeline of skilled workers to deliver the SEC for decades to come.
This includes investing $5 million to develop the business case for the SEC Centre of Training Excellence to coordinate and accredit courses for apprentices – working across TAFEs, RTOs, training organisations, workers and industry.
“Delivering the educational opportunities that students of today need to secure the high paying jobs of the future, this year’s Budget invests $7.5 million for VET pathways for students, including renewable energy pathways embedded into the government’s core offering of VET in schools,” he said.
“This means any student studying the VCE, including the VCE Vocational Major or Victorian Pathways Certificate, can work towards a career in Victoria’s booming renewable energy sector by incorporating electrotechnology, engineering or laboratory skills into their school studies.
“Delivering on the promise we made to Victorians last year, the government is investing $116 million to create new Tech Schools in Brimbank, Dandenong, Frankston, Hume, Wangaratta and Warrnambool.”
Tech Schools work with local secondary schools and industry to deliver immersive, practical and future career-linked STEM education that students need to succeed in areas such as renewable energy, robotics and advanced manufacturing.
The $116 million investment in six new tech schools also includes $10 million to establish a Clean Energy Equipment Fund for new and existing tech schools – helping students learn about the latest renewable energy innovations like advanced battery technology, hydrogen generation and robotics in high-tech learning labs.
Further immersing students in the opportunities of the future, $19.1 million will support 10,000 students to access work experience across in-demand industries, including renewable energy, improving the accessibility of careers education and work-based learning students.
There is also a further $7 million for renewable energy VET certificates and other qualifications that will deliver world-class training and career pathways for Victorians, alongside a new $10 million Hydrogen Energy Worker Training Centre – training new hydrogen workers and upskilling existing workers.
Victoria will be the home of Australia’s first offshore wind farms, and a $6 million investment into the Wind Worker Training Centre will make sure workers get the skills they need for jobs in offshore and onshore wind.
Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins said the government is establishing a $50 million TAFE Clean Energy Fund to train workers with critical skills that are needed to bring back the SEC.
The Fund includes $6 million for Stage 2 of the Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Training Centre at Federation TAFE in Ballarat, $5 million for TAFE Gippsland to create a Clean Energy Centre in Morwell and $5 million for South West TAFE to deliver a Building Innovation and Design Centre in Warrnambool.
Hutchins said 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.
“We recognise the role clean energy will play in our state’s future and are making it easier than ever for secondary students to connect with the terrific career opportunities that come with this,” she said.