WA’s new clean energy skills TAFE announced

The federal and Western Australian governments are jointly investing $70.5 million over five years to establish Australia’s first TAFE Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence in WA.

The centre will operate across the WA TAFE network and be a skills leader in clean energy science, engineering, construction, and operation, supporting the net zero transformation and a Future Made in Australia, according to a statement.

The Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence will:

• Innovate training in clean energy technologies, including solar, wind, hydrogen, batteries and grid integration, and fast-track development and delivery of higher and degree-equivalent apprenticeship pathways
• Equip students with practical skills and knowledge-based capabilities to support innovation in the clean energy sector
• Build on existing collaborations between WA TAFEs, universities, and industry to co-design industry relevant training programs, facilitate applied research, and strengthen entry pathways between VET and higher education
• And partner with industry to drive skill development and support participation of more Western Australians, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and women, in clean energy jobs.

The federal government will invest $32.75m, matched by the WA Government, as well as a further $5.04m to accelerate the creation of the centre.

The Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor said the federal government and the states were establishing up to 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence that will help respond to our most critical national skills needs.”

A hub and spoke model will develop the capability of WA TAFEs and training providers, increasing the number of apprentices, particularly in trades such as electrical, engineering, automotive mechanical, plumbing, air conditioning, refrigeration, metal fitting and machining.

The centre will be under the guidance of an Industry Advisory Board.

The WA Minister for Training and Workforce Development Simone McGurk said: “In WA, clean energy projects will be located around the State and will require the capability and capacity of all our TAFEs to deliver contemporary training using world-class training facilities.

“This model will be critical in delivering the skilled workforce in partnership with industry.

“Partnerships with universities will also be important for the development of new qualifications, such as higher apprenticeships for emerging industries.”

Picture: Simone McGurk