The Clean Energy Council (CEC) has unveiled a new program to support and attract more workers to the renewable sector and close critical skills gaps as Australia powers ahead with its energy transition.
The Clean energy, job ready program is based on 12-months of consultation with the sector and is expected to make it easier for job seekers, primarily in Victoria and Queensland, to understand and attain the relevant skills needed to work and seamlessly transition between large-scale wind, solar and storage projects, while helping employers mobilise a safe, competent and qualified trade workforce.
Clean Energy Council Chief Policy and Impact Officer, Arron Wood, said the program comes at a critical time for the industry after the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment at the last election to deliver on its 82 per cent renewable energy target by 2030 – which is set to create thousands of new jobs and opportunities for skilled workers.
“One of the greatest opportunities and challenges for the clean energy industry over the next five years is that it will need to recruit an additional 40,000 workers to deliver Australia’s clean energy transition to meet the government’s renewable energy targets.”
Mr Wood said the lack of standardisation in training and skills requirements across employers has traditionally posed a challenge for the industry and creates confusion for workers and students trying to understand the pre-requisites to be ready for clean energy jobs.
“The Clean energy, job ready program is the result of our close collaboration with industry in Victoria and Queensland to define a common, consistent set of skills and training requirements for clean energy projects,” he said.
“This sector-wide standardisation is key to closing workforce gaps, and accelerating our shift to a green economy.”
The program delivers an industry-wide training matrix and a suite of digital tools to help employers manage workforce compliance easily, while providing clear pathways for workers and students to pursue careers in clean energy.
This includes:
- Training matrix: A landmark, industry-agreed guide for qualifications, licences and safety training needed for trade roles to work at clean energy projects, to simplify workforce planning and recruitment for clean employers and training providers.
- Skills passport: A digital platform provided by MyPass that enables workers to upload their qualifications and credentials for validation based on role-specific and site-specific requirements, assisting workers in moving across roles and between projects with ease. The platform helps employers efficiently manage workforce competency to maintain safe work and operational agility.
- Career pathways: A new online platform for workers, students, apprentices and those looking to make a career change to explore the clean energy trade roles and training they need to get job-ready, sooner.
MyPass CEO, Matt Smith, said, “From tradespersons from regional areas or adjacent industries to under-represented groups to mature talent with transferrable skills, the Skills Passport and Career Pathways help workers understand the skills needed to pursue careers in the sector.
“The better we are at helping workers match their skills to what industry needs, the closer we are to realising Australia’s net-zero vision.”
Mr Wood said, “We are pleased to be working with workforce technology leaders MyPass to launch Clean energy, job ready, as their deep industry experience means they understand the scale and depth of the challenge in ensuring we can deliver a successful and timely energy transition, on the ground and across multiple projects.”
Mr Smith said, “Using MyPass technology to achieve real-time worker competency assurance enables clean energy operators and their suppliers to unlock new levels of productivity and safety needed to keep renewable projects on track.”
The Clean energy, job ready program is funded by the Victorian Government’s Workforce Training and Innovation Fund and developed in partnership with TAFE Gippsland and Federation University, and by the Queensland Government in partnership with Energy Skills Queensland.
