The Clean Energy Council and the Energy Efficiency Council have launched the Careers for Net Zero campaign, which is designed to help upskill Australia’s energy workforce and encourage new job seekers to pursue a career in the clean economy.
According to research by the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Sydney and Monash University, at least two million new jobs are required to meet net zero by 2050. Additionally, according to the Federal Government, 200,000 new roles are needed to reach Australia’s 2030 target of 43 per cent lower emissions.
Clean Energy Council Chief Executive, Kane Thornton, says the clean economy drive provides enormous opportunities for job seekers.
“From the city to the bush, decarbonising our economy will provide thousands of new jobs and new career opportunities,” Mr Thornton said.
“Upskilling needs to occur on a colossal scale. We need to double our energy workforce by 2030 and double it again by 2035. Heightened global competition for talent across a diversity of critical skills and occupations means this is a top priority for our sector.”
Energy Efficiency Council CEO, Luke Menzel, said that immediate action is needed, as the current talent pool simply isn’t matching up with demand, and many of the roles desperately needed by 2030 already face major skill shortages at a national level.
“If we fall short of meeting these targets, it will come at a huge cost and will impact Australia’s reputation on the global stage,” Mr Menzel said.
The Careers for Net Zero Fair is taking place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and will assist Australians to find new career pathways and ways to upskill. The event features Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor, Co-CEO of Atlassian and Chair of Boundless Earth, Mike Cannon-Brookes, Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, and Engineers Australia CEO, Romilly Madew, as well as dozens of other industry experts.
The campaign also includes a clean economy career explorer tool on the Careers for Net Zero website. The online platform, an Australian-first, will aggregate the growing list of careers needed to help Australia achieve net zero. The site will feature the most in-demand positions and will map educational pathways to get there for students, graduates, and experienced workers.
Martine Holberton, a Community Engagement Advisor at Tilt Renewables, is one of the thousands of Australians who have already made the transition into a clean economy career.
“I wanted to find a rewarding career, and climate change is one of the biggest challenges humankind has ever faced. I want to be part of the solution,” Mr Holberton said.
Globally, it’s estimated the transition will create 14 million new clean energy jobs by 2030, while another 16 million workers will need to move into new roles in renewables, energy efficiency and electrification. Around 60 per cent of these roles will require post-secondary training.
To learn more, visit www.careersfornetzero.org.au.
