Guide for offshore wind job seekers
4 November 2022
People wanting to work in Victoria’s up-and-coming offshore wind industry can now learn what working in the sector could be like, with an Offshore Wind Jobs Guide released today by Star of the South - Australia’s first proposed offshore wind project.
The guide profiles more than 50 typical jobs in the industry, what they involve, and the qualifications, skills and training likely to be needed.
It also shares the stories of people who’ve transitioned into offshore wind from other jobs including factory work, offshore oil and gas, mechanical engineering and administration to work in offshore wind overseas.
The Offshore Wind Jobs Guide has been developed with advice from education, power industry and union organisations across Gippsland and Victoria including Energy Australia, Federation University, Offshore and Specialist Ships Australia, Skills and Job Centres, TAFE Gippsland and Victorian Trades Hall Council.
Offshore wind is expected to create thousands of Victorian jobs over the next two decades, with 9GW of offshore wind targeted to be built by 2040.
Star of the South, proposed to be located off the south-east Gippsland coast, is expected to generate up to 2,000 Victorian jobs across its 30-year life. Of these, around 760 construction jobs and 200 long-term operations jobs would be Gippsland-based, providing long-term skilled jobs in the region from later this decade.
Offshore wind is one of the world’s fastest-growing energy technologies and key to decarbonisation targets across Europe, the USA and Asia. Skilled workers in the sector are in high demand globally.
Pending approvals, Star of the South is aiming to start construction around the middle of the decade and have its first turbine spinning around 2028.
The Offshore Wind Jobs Guide was supported by the Victorian Government through the Energy Innovation Fund and is available at starofthesouth.com.au/jobs-guide.
Star of the South is hosting community information sessions in Morwell, Woodside and online between 7-10 November. Find session details and register for the webinar at starofthesouth.com.au
Quotes attributed to Star of the South Chief Development Officer, Erin Coldham
“This guide shares what we know about jobs, skills and training, so people can decide if a role in offshore wind is right for them and start planning for the future.
“Offshore wind is a significant global industry and now is a great time to start getting involved as it takes off here in Victoria. We look forward to working with the next generation of energy workers to continue powering Victoria for decades to come.
“This industry offers high-quality, skilled work across a broad range of professions and trade – there’s something for everyone”
“We’re working closely with local training providers to make relevant course offerings available as soon as possible.”
Quotes attributed to Sunny Bhatti, Chartered Engineer and Chairman of the Engineers Australia Gippsland Group
“This guide is a welcome resource for Gippsland workers wanting to make a switch to the renewable energy industry.
“By providing guidance on the types of new skills that’ll be needed, people can enhance their training and education as early as possible to be ready for the construction and operation of offshore wind projects.
“As a Gippslander, I see a lot of talent in regional Victoria. Knowing what education and training will be needed to kick start new careers will enable a regional workforce to be ready for this new industry.
“The job titles in offshore wind may be different, but the fundamental skills needed to do this work already exists throughout the Gippsland workforce.”
About Star of the South
Star of the South is Australia’s first offshore wind project, proposed to be located off the south coast of Gippsland in Victoria. Star of the South would help meet energy, emissions reduction and economic goals by supplying secure, reliable and affordable power for up to 1.2 million homes, or nearly 20% of the State’s energy needs. The project is in the feasibility phase with environmental assessments currently underway to inform project planning and approvals. If Star of the South is approved and proceeds to construction, works could start by the middle of this decade with full power before the end of the decade.