Upskilling Gippsland for a clean energy future
7 August 2024
A clear guide on the training pathways for coal workers interested in making the switch to the offshore wind sector was released today, with the support of the Victorian Government’s Clean Economy Workforce Capacity Building Fund.
Southerly Ten, EnergyAustralia, Federation University and TAFE Gippsland collaborated to outline the opportunities for coal workers and students to reskill for careers in Gippsland’s emerging offshore wind industry with as little as a few months of training.
The report maps offshore wind jobs and training opportunities to jobs currently being performed at the Yallourn coal-fired power station and mine – capturing over half the workforce. It outlines the skills and qualifications that are the same across coal and wind jobs, identifying the additional training requirements, their duration and highlighting where the courses are offered locally in Gippsland.
The report shows that with some extra training, there are opportunities for coal power station workers to take up a new career in offshore wind generation – and many are not at sea.
One example is that of a mechanical fitter at a coal fired power station, who could become a wind turbine technician with less than six months training.
In addition to a mechanical fitter, the other jobs mapped are engineer, boilermaker, mobile plant operator, power worker and controller.
Australia’s transition to a net-zero economy will need a highly skilled workforce capable of
designing, constructing, installing, monitoring, operating, and maintaining systems – skills already being used in our traditional energy supply sector.
With Yallourn power station set to close in 2028 and offshore wind emerging as a new energy industry in Gippsland this guide aims to showcase a range of training and career pathway opportunities for a future in clean energy in Gippsland.
Southerly Ten is leading the development of Australia’s most advanced offshore wind project, Star of the South, and Kut-Wut Brataualung in Gippsland.
Quote attributable to Southerly Ten Chief Development Officer, Erin Coldham
“Offshore wind is a significant global industry and now is a great time to reskill. There’s so much knowledge in the region and we’ll need the skills and experience of local energy workers to continue powering Victoria for decades to come.”
Quote attributable to EnergyAustralia Managing Director, Mark Collette
“We are privileged to have an incredibly talented team across our generation fleet, and we want our Yallourn team to be ready for their next careers following the closure in 2028. We're supporting them with preparation, training, and planning for their futures. This partnership is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate that their skills can be transferred to other parts of the energy sector.”
Quote attributable to TAFE Gippsland CEO, Laura Macpherson
“This collaboration underscores TAFE Gippsland’s commitment to a sustainable and prosperous future for our region, and further strengthens our position as the leading vocational education and training partner for Gippsland’s energy future. With the closure of the Yallourn power station on the horizon, this initiative is not just about preserving jobs, but about empowering our workforce with the skills needed to thrive in a net-zero economy.”
Quote attributable to Federation University Australia Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley
“As Victoria’s leading regional university, Federation University is proud to support the nation’s transition to a net-zero economy. This partnership will help provide a pipeline of highly skilled workers, providing exciting new opportunities for the local workforce while establishing Gippsland as one of the most important regions in Australia’s renewable energy future.”
About Southerly Ten
Southerly Ten is a specialist offshore wind energy developer for Australia and New Zealand, from the team behind Star of the South and backed by CIP. We bring unmatched commitment and capability to our mission - to advance a local offshore wind industry and leave a positive legacy of clean energy for future generations. www.southerlyten.com.au