The renewable energy sector is set to benefit from four new free TAFE courses, designed to upskill Australians, boost onshore capability, and support manufacturing employment opportunities.
The courses are being offered through the TAFE NSW Manufacturing Centres of Excellence, aimed at supporting manufacturing education and training across the engineering, transport and renewable energy sectors.
Funded by $78.6 million matched investment from the Commonwealth and NSW governments ($157.2 million total over four years), the specialised training centres are being established at TAFE NSW campuses in three of the state’s major manufacturing industry areas – Newcastle/the Hunter, Western Sydney and the Illawarra.
The Free TAFE courses have been designed with industry to upskill existing workers and equip the future domestic manufacturing workforce for emerging industry needs, boosting onshore manufacturing capability and providing more career opportunities for local workers.
Enrolments are now open for three microskills (self-paced short courses) delivered online and one microcredential:
- Discover renewable manufacturing careers – a microskill introducing the industries, technologies and practices enabling renewable manufacturing in Australia
- Discover advanced manufacturing careers – a microskill introducing advanced manufacturing and its role in driving innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in Australia
- Maths foundations in the manufacturing industry – a microskill supporting students and workers with mathematical concepts to perform accurate calculations and solve problems in a manufacturing setting
- Generative design and analysis – a microcredential providing specialised training in advanced computer-aided drafting software for manufacturing product design and modelling to solve real-world manufacturing challenges
The New South Wales Government said the four courses are the first of a series of short courses, education and training planned for delivery through the TAFE NSW Manufacturing Centres of Excellence in 2025.
To further support tertiary harmonisation, a University Partnership Panel has also been established to collaborate with the TAFE NSW Manufacturing Centres of Excellence on design and delivery of the specialised training.
The ten university partners across New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland have been included on the University Partnership Panel and will collaborate with TAFE NSW over the next four years to support expertise in manufacturing education.
This could include contributing subject matter expertise to inform new manufacturing courses, providing access to specialist equipment and facilities, and development of educational pathways and higher education qualifications.
The ten universities are:
- University of Sydney
- University of Technology, Sydney
- Western Sydney University
- Macquarie University
- University of Wollongong
- University of Newcastle
- Charles Sturt University
- Griffith University
- RMIT University
- Swinburne University
Locally, the TAFE NSW Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence is expected to boost local capability, enabling the community to take advantage of the opportunities of renewable manufacturing and the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone.
The centre will deliver tailored, industry-aligned training needed to skill local workforces ready to lead in onshore manufacturing capabilities.
The TAFE NSW Manufacturing Centres of Excellence are a joint initiative between the federal and New South Wales governments under the National Skills Agreement.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles, said free TAFE is changing lives and building Australia’s future.
“We are ensuring manufacturing needs at a local, state and national level are backed by a pipeline of skilled workers and a strong economy for years to come.
“Through strong ongoing with industry and universities, TAFE is shaping the future of manufacturing education in Australia.”
New South Wales Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, said these first four fee-free TAFE courses are just the beginning of the collaboration across TAFE NSW, universities and the manufacturing industry to support a skilled workforce to meet national challenges across the manufacturing sector.
“This partnership will deliver more technical and hands-on training to students across renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, with a focus on sustainable and technological innovation.”
