Australia’s Clean Energy Council (CEC) has launched a renewable energy skills program. Targeted toward job seekers to gain the skills needed to work across large-scale wind, solar and storage projects, it aims to enable employers to mobilise a safe and competent trade workforce.

Based on 12 months of consultation with the sector, the ‘Clean energy, job-ready’ program features industry-agreed skills, training, career pathways and a digital skills passport to support and attract more tradies. It is geared primarily towards job seekers in Victoria and Queensland.

CEC chief policy and impact officer Arron Wood says the program comes at a critical time for the industry. At the last election, the Australian Government reaffirmed its commitment to deliver on its 82% renewable energy target by 2030. The move will create thousands of new jobs and opportunities for skilled workers.

An additional 40,000 workers are needed to meet the government’s renewable energy targets.

“The lack of standardisation in training and skills requirements across employers has traditionally posed a challenge for the industry and creates confusion for workers and students trying to understand the prerequisites to be ready for clean energy jobs,” Arron says.

“The ‘Clean energy, job-ready’ program is the result of our close collaboration with industry in Victoria and Queensland to define a common, consistent set of skills and training requirements for clean energy projects. This sector-wide standardisation is key to closing workforce gaps and accelerating our shift to a green economy.”

Arron says the skills passport and career pathways are crucial for tradies from regional areas, adjacent industries and under-represented groups to understand the skills needed to pursue careers in the sector.

CEC is partnering with workforce software company MyPass to provide the program. MyPass chief executive Matt Smith says the program delivered an industry-wide training matrix and a suite of digital tools to help employers manage workforce compliance easily, while providing clear pathways for workers and students.

It includes a training matrix, skills passport and career pathways.

“We are pleased to be working with workforce technology leaders MyPass to launch the program, as their deep industry experience means they understand the scale and depth of the challenge in ensuring we can deliver a successful and timely energy transition,” Arron says.

The ‘Clean energy, job-ready’ program is funded by the Victorian Government’s Workforce Training and Innovation Fund, developed in partnership with TAFE Queensland and Federation University; and by the Queensland Government in partnership with Energy Skills Queensland.