The Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence (CESNCE) has commenced operations with the appointment of an Industry Advisory Board to advise the Government on the clean energy workforce and a general manager to lead the Centre.
A Commonwealth and State Government joint investment of $70.5 million over five years, the CESNCE will develop the collective capability of the State’s TAFE colleges to build the workforce needed to support the transition to a clean energy economy.
“Our investment in the Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence will ensure that Western Australia leads Australia’s clean energy transformation, by building skills and knowledge that are critical to achieving net zero,” said Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk.
“The Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence will have a key role in driving skills development and ensuring students are equipped with practical skills to support innovation in the clean energy sector. It will partner with industry and TAFEs to develop career taster experiences in clean energy to build the skills pipeline.
The Training and Workforce Development Minister has appointed a diverse mix of industry and community leaders to the CESNCE Industry Advisory Board, representing unions, First Nations people, Government, TAFE, and university to provide expertise.
The Board will advise the Minister on training and workforce strategies and training infrastructure needs and contribute to the CESNCE’s strategic direction.
It is set to provide a clear voice and buy-in from industry on the workforce planning, co-ordination, development, promotion and TAFE investment needed for the State’s transition to a net zero emissions economy.
Western Power’s executive manager Transition and Sustainability Mr Matthew Cheney has been appointed as Chair of the Board and brings a depth of experience across energy, sustainability and decarbonisation.
The Board will be supported by the CESNCE’s recently appointed General Manager Mr Ty Theodore. He will lead and drive skills development through industry and stakeholder engagement, partnerships, training product design and collaboration, program design, and marketing and communications.
Mr Theodore joins the CESNCE from South Metropolitan TAFE where he was Executive Director for the Engineering, Transport and Defence division, the Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training, and the Automation and Robotics Training Centres.
The clean energy investment pipeline in Western Australia is in the vicinity of $200 billion, and projections show the clean energy sector is expected to generate around 351,000 jobs from 2025 to 2050.
A new website has been designed to showcase the State’s hydrogen, battery, solar, energy minerals, and wind projects and promote the occupations and training options to skill individuals in the thriving sector.
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