- Cook Government proposes that new Clean Energy
National Centre of Excellence be established in Western Australia
- Centre of Excellence to support the State's
energy transition and skill development
The Cook Government has
lodged a proposal with the Commonwealth Government to establish a Clean Energy
National Centre of Excellence in Western Australia, as it works to position the
State at the forefront of the global clean energy transition.
The clean energy
investment pipeline in Western Australia is in the vicinity of $200 billion,
and projections show the clean energy sector is expected to generate around
350,000 jobs from 2025 to 2050.
Increasing the number of
apprentices, particularly in trades such as electricians, engineers, motor
mechanics, plumbers, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics, metal
fitters and machinists will be vital to ensure we have the skills needed for WA
to reach its target of net zero by 2050.
Because of the size,
scale and diversity of projects being developed right across WA, across solar,
wind, hydrogen and batteries, the proposed Centre of Excellence would consist
of a network of WA TAFEs.
The proposal, to be
negotiated with the Commonwealth, will lead development of training and
workforce initiatives in collaboration with industry, unions, TAFE,
universities, and key training stakeholders. It will also support more Western
Australians, including Aboriginal students and women, into clean energy jobs.
The State Government has
also submitted an application to access part of the Commonwealth's $31.6
million in turbocharging funding to fast-track development of clean energy
training and workforce initiatives.
WA's proposal for a Clean
Energy National Centre of Excellence will leverage off a $2.8 billion package
announced in the State Budget for new wind, solar and storage capacity to
upgrade the grid to power opportunities in green hydrogen, critical minerals
and other green industries.
The historic five-year
National Skills Agreement, which commenced in January this year, is a $1.34
billion investment between the Albanese and Cook Governments to expand and
transform access to WA's vocational education and training (VET) sector,
support quality training and implement reforms to address critical skills needs
in WA.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"We want Western
Australia to be a global renewable energy powerhouse, and are working to
position this State at the forefront of Australia's clean energy future.
"Investment in clean
energy plays to WA's economic strengths, skills profile, training capability
and natural assets.
"Our proposed TAFE Clean
Energy National Centre of Excellence initiative is an excellent opportunity to use
the entire network of WA TAFE colleges to deliver the advanced skills base
needed for the State's energy transition.
"We will collaborate with
other states and territories, the Commonwealth and industry stakeholders to
join up with other nationally networked Centres of Excellence to grow
Australia's clean energy skills and workforce capability."
Comments attributed to Training and Workforce Development Minister
Simone McGurk:
"The Clean Energy
National Centre of Excellence will help ensure Western Australians have the
skills they need for jobs in clean energy.
"Our model will allow us to develop workers with
the skills to capitalise on the huge clean energy investment and export
opportunities in WA.
"Jobs such as supervisory
control and data acquisition engineers, wind turbine technicians, and metering
technicians will form part of the skills landscape as we move to distributed
electricity generation, and more niche occupations will emerge as technology
evolves.
"The centre will partner
with industry to drive skill development and support participation of more Western
Australians – including Aboriginal students and women – in clean energy jobs.
"I look forward to our officials progressing
bilateral negotiations to agree on the details of Western Australia's Clean
Energy National Centre of Excellence."
