Media releases

Federation University Australia has commissioned a business case that will support the establishment of a Clean Energy Centre of Excellence in Morwell to help Gippsland build a skilled workforce for the renewable energy jobs of the future.

The business case comes in response to recommendations in the Gippsland Energy Skills Mapping Report 2022, launched today.

Authored by Federation University researchers from the Centre for New Energy Transition Research as part of a partnership with TAFE Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley Authority, the report aims to identify existing skills gaps in the region and opportunities for training and education.

It called for an urgent business case into a new energy education and training centre and identified potential training programs that could be developed.

A Clean Energy Centre of Excellence would be co-located in Morwell at Federation University’s Morwell Innovation Centre and TAFE Gippsland’s Trade Skills Centre and would seek to encourage young people into future energy careers by providing appropriate pathways, skills and education and would also help retrain and reskill the existing traditional power generation workforce.

The business case is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Quotes attributable to Federation University Gippsland Head of Campus, Ms Leigh Kennedy

“As Victoria’s premier regional university, we have a key role to play in driving economic growth and jobs in Gippsland as it transitions away from traditional forms of power generation.”

“We’re proud to work with TAFE Gippsland, government and industry to build a skilled local workforce for the emerging renewable energy sector.”

Quotes attributable to TAFE Gippsland Chief Executive Officer Laura Macpherson

“TAFE Gippsland is proud to present this report in partnership with Federation University Australia and the Latrobe Valley Authority.”

“We are committed to supporting the transition to new energy technologies in our region and we strongly value our role in helping to grow the aspirations of new and transitioning workers in Gippsland through access to leading vocational education and training outcomes and skills that are aligned to current and future industry needs.”

Quotes attributable to Latrobe Valley Authority CEO Chris Buckingham

“We have a strong and skilled workforce in the energy sector. This report provides the evidence base to support people’s thinking about the significant employment opportunities that are coming on line in the renewable energy sector.”