A REPORT by EnergyAustralia has outlined a vision to upskill and retool Gippsland’s coal industry workforce to transition into the state’s new offshore wind industry.
The Transition Opportunities guide, released today (7 August), suggests that more than half the workers at Victoria’s Yallourn Power Station (due to close in 2028) could transition into offshore wind roles with similar skills and qualifications.
For example, a boilermaker could undergo training to become a near coastal engineer or a maritime welder (among other roles), and a mechanical fitter could train to be a marine fitter or deck mechanic.
A mobile plant operator could become a deck cadet, and a power worker could instead work on a crew transfer vessel.
The Victorian government unveiled the report – which it funded – after last month announcing that 12 feasibility licences had been granted for projects in the Gippsland offshore wind zone.
The state government is working to a target of at least two gigawatts of offshore wind energy generation by 2032, four gigawatts by 2035 and nine gigawatts by 2040.
The 12 projects which have received feasibility licenses are projected to collectively generate up to 25 gigawatts of electricity, and create 15,000 jobs during construction and 7500 jobs ongoing.
“We’re taking workers with us through every step of the transition to net zero and these transferable skills and training opportunities are key to helping them prepare for the future,” energy and resources minister Lily D’Ambrosio said.
The report noted that many of the training pathways required were available through TAFE Gippsland, which partnered with EnergyAustralia to deliver the report (along with Federation University, Atlas Professionals and Southerly Ten.
“Through our investments in skills and training across our TAFE system, we are delivering a successful, structured transition that ensures workers in traditional energy sectors can access decent jobs in new renewable energy industries,” Victorian minister for skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney said.
The government noted its Victorian Energy Jobs Plan, to be released in 2025, would further detail how the energy workforce will be developed to support the renewable energy transition.
