Clean energy training gets $70m boost

The state and federal governments will collectively spend $70.5 million to establish a clean energy skills centre of excellence in Western Australia, to be run with no fixed address.

The Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence will focus on training in clean energy expertise, including courses focused on solar, wind, hydrogen, batteries and grid integration.

Despite its name the centre will be run through the existing TAFE network in WA via a hub and spoke model, designed to tap areas of renewable activity and training strength.

It will be rolled out across campuses in metropolitan and regional areas including Kalgoorlie, Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton, Karratha and Broome.

State and federal governments will each invest $32.75 million over five years, with a further $5.04 million from the federal government to accelerate the creation of the program.

Premier Roger Cook said WA was the logical location for the program, which is part of a broader $325 million federal commitment to invest in areas of high skill need across the country.

The announcement was made by Mr Cook alongside federal Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor in Munster this morning.

“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,” Mr Cook 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.”

Mr Cook said the government expected thousands to train through the centre in the years ahead.

Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk said the delivery of the centre across multiple campuses, rather than a standalone facility, would allow greater access to world-leading projects and educators.

“In WA, clean energy projects will be located around the state and will require the capability and capacity of all our TAFEs to deliver contemporary training using world-class training facilities,” she said.

“This model will be critical in delivering the skilled workforce in partnership with industry.

“Partnerships with universities will also be important for the development of new qualifications, such as higher apprenticeships for emerging industries.”

The centre will be established under the guidance of an industry advisory board, and the state government said it would partner with universities, jobs and skills councils, employers and unions – as well as interstate TAFEs – to build a skills base nationally.