Jobs report guides future for the clean energy workforce

The report charts the path ahead for the development of the skilled workforce needed for Australia’s clean energy transformation, and highlights that to achieve 82 per cent renewable generation in the National Electricity Market and 43 per cent emissions reduction below 2005 levels by 2030 we need:

• 32,000 additional electricians, far greater than the projected labour supply.
  
  
• 450,000 jobs in construction of clean energy generation and transmission infrastructure, representing one third of all jobs growth in Australia by 2030.
  
  
• To rapidly address an existing shortage of engineers and a dependency on skilled migration, with over 50 per cent of all electrical engineers currently born overseas.
  
  
• To reform training and education offerings and create more inclusive pathways for women, First Nations peoples and workers born overseas.

Clean Energy Council Director of Workforce Development, Dr Anita Talberg, said resolute action to attract the new talent, particularly across STEM fields and construction is needed to fulfil the capability gaps that currently exist in Australia’s clean energy workforce.

“The next seven years will be critical in establishing or strengthening the education, training, and migration systems to ensure that we have the workforce to deliver the energy transition,” Dr Talberg said.

“We look forward to working with Jobs and Skills Australia and other Commonwealth departments and agencies to coordinate an approach towards building out the clean energy workforce over the next few decades tailored to industry needs, particularly across the engineering and electrical fields.”

ENDS

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Liam Straughan
Clean Energy Council Media Officer
[email protected]
+61 409 470 683