The Queensland Government will deliver Australia’s first hydrogen workforce development plan to further industry growth.
Queensland’s Minister for Training and Skills Development, Di Farmer, launched the Hydrogen Industry Workforce Development Roadmap 2022-2032 in a speech to the Australian Clean Energy Summit in Sydney recently.
“This Roadmap is the first dedicated workforce development plan for the industry and sets a path to a strong and adaptable workforce for a safe and thriving Queensland hydrogen industry,” Minister Farmer said.
“The sunshine state is aiming to fast track the development of the industry – we’re already accelerating toward our ambitious target of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030 – with a vision to be at the forefront of renewable hydrogen production and the global supplier of choice for green.
“Affordable, clean and secure energy has the potential to deliver thousands of jobs and drive the state’s economic growth and we will ensure we maximise workforce opportunities in regional communities across Queensland.
The plan will be backed by the state governments recent $50 million commitment towards renewable infrastructure, which includes:
- $20 million for Stage 2 of the Queensland Apprenticeships Centre at Beenleigh, including a Hydrogen Training Centre of Excellence that will provide apprentices with the skills and expertise to work safely with hydrogen
- $17 million for the Pinkenba Renewable Energy Training Facility, training apprentices and qualified electricians to install, operate and manage solar and other renewable energy equipment safely
- $10.6 million for the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Training Facility at Bohle TAFE in Townsville
- $2 million to upgrade training facilities at Gladstone State High School to prepare students for future jobs in the hydrogen industry
Minister Farmer said the growth of the clean energy sector relies on a skilled and capable workforce achieved through government, the training sector and industry working together.
“All Queenslanders should have the opportunity to reskill or upskill to advance their career and pursue new opportunities – that’s why the State Budget 2022-23 includes $1.2 billion for skills and training to help Queenslanders enter the workforce,” Mr Farmer said.
“We have already set a strong foundation for the emerging hydrogen industry by investing $50 million in state-of-the-art infrastructure to support training in renewables and hydrogen, providing essential, hands-on experience with new and emerging technologies.”
For more information on the Hydrogen Industry Workforce Development Roadmap visit:
www.desbt.qld.gov.au/hydrogenroadmap
