The Albanese government fulfils its pledge to build the skills and capabilities for Australia’s transition to a clean energy future with a $10 million investment at the University of Wollongong.
An Energy Futures Skills Centre will be established at the university with a second investment of $2.5 million to improve tools and instructional materials, creating a Renewable Energy Training facility at the Wollongong TAFE.
With cutting-edge teaching labs and improved equipment, the two sites will collaborate to develop the energy workforce of the future and provide teaching and research with real-world examples of clean energy technology.
In the labour sector, the investment will pave the way to deliver teaching programs to re-train and upskill workers for careers in clean energy and clean manufacturing.
This funding will complement other efforts to build a clean energy future, such as community battery installations, requiring local content in new infrastructure to modernise the electricity grid and developments through the National Reconstruction Fund.
“Renewable energy not only means more affordable and reliable energy over the long term, it means greater economic opportunity in the regions that have always powered Australia,” Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese noted.
Meanwhile, Catherine King, minister for infrastructure, transport, regional development and local government, said creating jobs in the areas where people already reside will result in a better future for those who wish to remain in their current neighbourhoods.
“This is an exciting opportunity for the Illawarra’s future jobs, industries and technology,” King said.
Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor also commented on the investment saying that the funding positions Wollongong to acquire the knowledge necessary to become a pioneer in the energy revolution in the ensuing decades.
“After a decade of neglect, putting the skills and research that will drive renewable investment in the regions that can take advantage of the opportunity will grow jobs and local business,” O’Connor stated.
