The Queensland Government says a new TAFE Centre of Excellence will set up the state as a skills leader in clean energy battery technology and training.
The Federal and State Governments are jointly investing $20 million to establish the TAFE Queensland Centre of Excellence – Clean Energy (Batteries) as a state-wide initiative that will be coordinated through TAFE Queensland SkillsTech.
The centre will 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.
The Centre of Excellence will:
- 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.
The Centre of Excellence will 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.
“Labor’s signature Free TAFE is delivering cost-of-living relief while removing financial barriers to training, and this new Clean Energy Centre of Excellence is a pathway for Queenslanders looking to become highly skilled SuperGrid superheroes in high paid, hi-vis careers,” said Queensland Minister for Training and Skills Development, Lance McCallum.
In particular, the centre will build on an existing partnership with the Queensland University of Technology to develop new training programs and course materials.
“We’re supercharging our homegrown battery industry to ensure Australians have more well-paid jobs, with a pipeline of skilled talent crucial to supporting manufacturers to make more things here,” said Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic (pictured, left).
“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.
“Growing our domestic manufacturing capability is about more than just delivering on our ambition to reach net zero by 2050, it’s about creating real jobs now and into the future.”
