Federal, Queensland governments announce $20 million for statewide battery technology training

The federal and state governments have announced $20 million for a new TAFE Queensland Centre of Excellence – Clean Energy (Batteries), to be a state-wide initiative coordinated through TAFE Queensland SkillsTech.

According to a joint statement on Tuesday, the centre will operate across the TAFE network and deliver training in “emerging battery technologies and support the national transition to clean energy and net zero.” 

It will also work with universities, the Jobs and Skills Councils, unions and industry stakeholders on improved training and developing higher apprenticeship pathways. An existing partnership with Queensland University of Technology – which hosts the Advanced Battery Facility and whose researchers built the nation’s first lithium ion battery in 2017 – was singled out for developing new training programs and course materials.

An expected launch date was not given.

“Boosting collaboration between industry, universities and the VET sector will strengthen the VET system by providing high-quality and responsive skills training as we transition to a net zero economy,” said federal training minister Andrew Giles (pictured second from the left.)

Federal industry minister Ed Husic (pictured on left) added that the local battery industry was being supercharged “to ensure Australians have more well-paid jobs, with a pipeline of skilled talent crucial to supporting manufacturers to make more things here.

“Australia has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to back new industries as we move to net-zero, with a pool of highly skilled workers to cement our position as a global clean-energy superpower.”

The news follows announcements of TAFE Centres of Excellence jointly funded by states and the Commonwealth for Clean Energy Skills in Western Australia (June) and Advanced Manufacturing in NSW (earlier in September.)

The federal government and states are aiming to establish up to 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence to meet identified needs in critical skills.

Picture: credit Queensland government

Further reading

TAFE NSW Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence announced

WA’s new clean energy skills TAFE announced