The New South Wales Government has shared the design of the state’s first Hydrogen Centre of Excellence.
The centre is expected to train thousands of plumbers and gas fitters and ensure that New South Wales has a pipeline of multi-skilled workers for the hydrogen industry.
The New South Wales Government said that plumbers and gas fitters are some of the key jobs that will need new skills and training to support the shift to renewable energy and that there is a shortage of these professionals both in New South Wales and across Australia.
The $25 million investment will aim to deliver a practical training centre capable of training and upskilling 8,250 plumbers and gas fitters in its first five years of operation.
The centre will be built in partnership with the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC), increasing the numbers of plumbers and preparing them to work with emerging technologies.
The new designs show the workshops and classrooms where apprentices will receive hands-on training on hydrogen equipment such as electrolysers, gas fitting techniques and safety protocols, on top of the traditional skills learned by plumbers.
Construction of the centre is expected to employ more than 100 apprentices and create 500 construction jobs.
Owned and operated by PICAC, the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence will be co-located at its existing Glenwood training site and is expected to be operational by 2027. Once complete, the facility will employ approximately 50 staff.
New South Wales Premier, Chris Minns, said, “The renewable energy transition is an important opportunity for New South Wales, creating thousands of local, secure jobs and attracting investment to the state.”
New South Wales Minister for Energy and Environment, Penny Sharpe, said, “This facility is crucial to ensuring the workers the renewable energy industry needs have the skills required to accelerate New South Wales’ shift towards clean technologies and net zero.”New South Wales Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, said, “This initiative will be critical in ensuring current and future apprentices and those already in the industry receive the high-quality training they will need to meet future industry demands.
“It also highlights the importance of government, industry and unions collaborating to build and develop the skilled workforce that will deliver the state’s economic growth and sustainability goals.”
Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre Chief Executive, Shayne La Combre, said, “This world-leading project showcases the power of industry collaboration in equipping apprentices with essential skills for current and future job markets.
“The expertise of our energy sector professionals has never been more vital to the economic future of New South Wales and Australia.
“The Hydrogen Centre of Excellence at PICAC Glenwood will provide top-tier training for apprentices and workers in the plumbing and fire protection industry, preparing them for opportunities in new and emerging fields such as hydrogen.”
Feature image: The design of the $25 million Hydrogen Centre of Excellence. Image credit: New South Wales Government.
