The Western Australian Government has appointed an Industry Advisory Board to lead the country’s first Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence (CESNCE).
The appointments mark the official commencement of operations, with ten members representing industry, unions, First Nations people, government, TAFE, and university.
Backed by a Federal and State Government joint investment of $70.5 million over five years, the CESNCE is expected to develop the collective capability of the state’s TAFE colleges and other training institutes to build the workforce needed to support the transition to a clean energy economy.
Western Australian Minister for Training and Workforce Development, Simone McGurk, has appointed a diverse mix of industry and community leaders to the CESNCE Industry Advisory Board to advise her on training and workforce strategies, training infrastructure needs and contribute to the CESNCE’s strategic direction.
The Advisory Board will provide a clear voice and buy-in from industry on the workforce planning, co-ordination, development, promotion and TAFE investment needed for the state’s transition to a net zero emissions economy.
Western Power Executive Manager Transition and Sustainability, Matthew Cheney, has been appointed as Chair of the Board and brings a depth of experience across energy, sustainability and decarbonisation.
The Board will be supported by the CESNCE’s recently appointed General Manager, Ty Theodore, who will lead and drive skills development through industry and stakeholder engagement, partnerships, training product design and collaboration, program design, and marketing and communications.
With a strong background in strategic partnerships and the development of adult education and training programs, Mr Theodore joins the CESNCE from South Metropolitan TAFE where he was Executive Director for the Engineering, Transport and Defence division, the Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training, and the Automation and Robotics Training Centres.
The State Government said the clean energy investment pipeline in Western Australia is in the vicinity of $200 billion, and projections show the clean energy sector is expected to generate around 351,000 jobs from 2025 to 2050.
A new website has been designed to showcase the state’s hydrogen, battery, solar, energy minerals, and wind projects and promote the occupations and training options to skill individuals in the thriving sector.
The CESNCE is a joint initiative between the Australian and Western Australian Governments under the National Skills Agreement.
Ms McGurk said the State Government’s investment in the CESNCE will ensure that Western Australia leads Australia’s clean energy transformation by building skills and knowledge that are critical to achieving net zero.
“With the combined experience of an Industry Advisory Board, supported by general manager Ty Theodore, and significant state and federal funding for TAFE infrastructure, we’re well positioned to deliver world-class training in clean energy technologies through our TAFE network.”
Ms McGurk said the CESNCE will have a key role in driving skills development and ensuring students are equipped with practical skills to support innovation in the clean energy sector, and it will partner with industry and TAFEs to develop career taster experiences in clean energy to build the skills pipeline.
“Today also sees the launch of the CESNCE website – a hub for the latest news, project updates, and State Government priorities in the clean energy sector,” Ms McGurk said.
“I encourage people to visit the website to explore the range of exciting, well-paid clean energy careers and the training the State Government has made available to get you there.”
Western Australian Climate Action Minister, Reece Whitby, said by investing in the Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence, the State Government is securing Western Australia’s future as a clean energy superpower.
“Not only will it develop the skills and training our state needs to seize the opportunities that come with decarbonising our economy, but it will also expand access to training opportunities throughout regional Western Australia.”
Mr Whitby said he is pleased to see some of the brightest minds in the energy sector be invited to join CENSNCE’s Board.
“Their contributions will be integral to putting the centre at the forefront of global best practice in skilling and upskilling our workers.”
Federal Skills and Training Minister, Andrew Giles, said the Federal Government partnered with the State Government to ensure it is blazing the trail of high-quality and innovative training in clean energy science, engineering, construction and operations.
“Our VET sector is underpinned by investment in TAFE and fit-for-purpose facilities, so it is great to see the CESNCE take this next step.
“The Federal Government is committed to creating a pipeline of skilled teachers and high-quality institutions, to train a generation of workers who will need to bring their expertise to bear on technological challenges that we aren’t even aware of yet.”
Industry Advisory Board members:
- Mr Matthew Cheney – Executive Manager Transition and Sustainability, Western Power (Chair)
- Dr Mara West – Governing Council Chair, North Metropolitan TAFE
- Mr Terry Hill – Chair, Pilbara Development Commission
- Ms Jasmine Kadic – Director, Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Mr Shannon O’Rourke – CEO, Powering Australia
- Mr Jai Thomas – Deputy Director General – Co-ordinator of Energy, Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
- Mr Michael Wright – National Secretary, Electrical Trades Union of Australia
- Ms Rebecca Tomkinson – CEO, The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia
- Mr Gregory Warren – Director, MizCo Pty Ltd
- Ms Jodie Wallace – Director General, Department of Training and Workforce Development
