The Commonwealth 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 Western Australia.
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.
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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
- 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
- Network with TAFEs in other states and leverage partnerships with universities, Jobs and Skills Councils, employers, and unions to build the clean energy skills base across Australia.
Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor said, “This $70 million investment in a Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence highlights the importance of developing and building clean energy skills for the net zero transition and a Future Made in Australia.
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“This Centre of Excellence in WA will help develop high-quality, responsive skills training in the critical and rapidly evolving clean energy economy.
“Working with states and territories, we’re establishing up to 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence that will help respond to our most critical national skills needs.”
