Queensland beats the pack with nation’s first hydrogen workforce pipeline plan
The Queensland Government has delivered a nationwide first with the launch of a dedicated workforce development plan for the hydrogen industry.
In a speech to the Australian Clean Energy Summit in Sydney last week, Queensland’s Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer launched the Hydrogen Industry Workforce Development Roadmap 2022-2032, designed to build a pipeline of skilled, hydrogen-ready workers.
“Affordable, clean and secure energy has the potential to deliver thousands of jobs and drive the state’s economic growth and we will ensure we maximise workforce opportunities in regional communities across Queensland,” Minister Farmer said.
Minister Farmer said the roadmap is based on key insights from early industry players and training providers, combined with deep data analysis to understand the workforce needs as the industry develops.
“To deliver this ground-breaking roadmap the Palaszczuk Government worked closely with industry stakeholders, including multinational and domestic hydrogen proponents, public and private skills and training providers and professional bodies, regional economic groups and hydrogen clusters, unions and universities,” Minister Farmer said.
“The roadmap recognises the importance of having flexible skills and training options to respond when and where new skills needs emerge, tailored responses for local workforces, and attraction and retention strategies.
“To attract a new generation of workers the Gateway to Industry Skills Program will add hydrogen as a new industry allowing 30 schools and up to 2000 students to engage with this key emerging industry.
“TAFE Queensland will use Virtual Reality to deliver course content which will allow hydrogen training facilities to be used by more students and workers.
“As the leading vocational education training (VET) organisation in the state TAFE Queensland has recently forged a powerful partnership with Ark Energy today to deliver training for the corporation’s hydrogen workforce.
As part of a $15 million VET emerging industries initiative the Palaszczuk Government is liaising with industry on future safety and hazards training to strengthen the skills of the hydrogen workforce.
Minister Farmer said the growth of the clean energy sector relies on a skilled and capable workforce achieved through government, the training sector and industry working together.
“We have already set a strong foundation for the emerging hydrogen industry by investing $50 million in state-of-the-art infrastructure to support training in renewables and hydrogen, providing essential, hands-on experience with new and emerging technologies.”
This includes:
- $20 million for Stage 2 of the Queensland Apprenticeships Centre at Beenleigh, including a Hydrogen Training Centre of Excellence that will provide apprentices with the skills and expertise to work safely with hydrogen.
- $17 million for the Pinkenba Renewable Energy Training Facility, training apprentices and qualified electricians to install, operate and manage solar and other renewable energy equipment safely.
- $10.6 million for the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Training Facility at Bohle TAFE in Townsville.
- And $2 million to upgrade training facilities at Gladstone State High School to prepare students for future jobs in the hydrogen industry.
