NECA Education & Careers and Federation University have partnered to commence a pilot clean energy program, identifying the skills needed to address the future of clean energy in Australia.

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Brendan O’Connor says the groundbreaking initiative will combine an electrical engineering degree with a Certificate III electrical trade apprenticeship.

“Many of the jobs we will need for our clean energy future straddle traditional trades and professions. Federation University is planning to launch an apprenticeship with NECA to provide a Cert III in parallel with an Electrical Engineering degree. This is important work but we need to ensure that these types of programs are the norm, not the exception,” he says.

NECA Victoria’s executive director Pawel Podolski says Brendan’s recognition was appreciated by the industry group and that NECA is committed to fostering innovation and collaboration, bridging traditional trades and modern professions.

“This endorsement fuels our determination to empower the next generation of professionals for a sustainable future.”

NECA Education & Careers chief executive officer Gideon Perrott added saying they are looking forward to partnering with more Universities and TAFEs to better skill the next generation of industry professionals.