A new Queensland centre of excellence will fast-track training in skills needed to deliver clean energy projects.
The TAFE Queensland Centre of Excellence – Clean Energy (Batteries) aims to fast-track higher and degree-equivalent apprenticeship pathways in fields relevant to renewable energy.
A $20m joint Federal-State Government initiative, the centre will be coordinated through TAFE Queensland SkillsTech.
Federal Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles said the centre would operate across the TAFE network to develop highly qualified training in emerging battery technologies and support the national transition to clean energy and net zero.
Minister Giles said the Centre of Excellence would:
- Deliver targeted training in renewable energy batteries, intermittent renewable energy source storage, grid connectivity, network embedded storage at large and small scales, and electric vehicles.
- Develop training products to increase participation and upskilling of priority cohorts for emerging skills needs in the design, installation, operation and maintenance of renewable energy systems and batteries.
- Develop higher level apprenticeship and degree level apprenticeship pathways, including through the Certificate III Electrotechnology Electrician and the Bachelor of Engineering/Electrical Science.
- Support training delivery to existing and emerging workforces through collaboration with the National TAFE Network to enhance industry currency across the training sector.
Queensland Training and Skills Development Minister Lance McCallum said the centre would work with TAFE campuses across Queensland, universities, Jobs and Skills Councils, unions and industry stakeholders to drive growth in the clean energy sector by improving and innovating training for clean energy battery technologies and developing higher apprenticeship pathways.
“In particular, the centre will build on an existing partnership with QUT to develop new training programs and course materials,” Minister McCallum said.
He said increasing the number of apprentices across the renewable energy sector was vital to ensure Queensland and Australia had the skills needed to reach net zero by 2050.
“This Centre of Excellence means more Queenslanders will get state-of-art clean energy training and skills development that will set them up for life as we keep on track to meet or beat our target of 70 percent renewables by 2032.”
