In a significant move to bolster Australia’s clean energy sector, the Australian and Queensland governments have partnered to establish the TAFE Queensland Batteries Centre of Excellence.
Both governments are investing $20 million over five years to create the Centre of Excellence at the Acacia Ridge campus in Brisbane.
The Centre of Excellence will be part Queensland’s TAFE network, positioning the state as a national leader in training and innovation for clean energy battery technologies.
It is set to play a crucial role in ensuring Australia meets its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Andrew Giles MP, said, “This networked Centre will drive growth in the clean energy sector by improving and innovating training for clean energy battery technologies not just in Queensland but across Australia.”
The Centre of Excellence will be at the forefront of skills development in clean energy industries, delivering targeted training on:
- renewable energy batteries
- storage for intermittent renewable sources
- grid connectivity
- network embedded storage
- electric vehicle technology.
The Centre of Excellence will improve support for First Nations people, culturally and linguistically diverse people and people with disability to enter clean energy training.
It will work alongside universities and stakeholders to develop higher qualification level apprenticeship pathways.
These actions will help with increasing participation, resulting in more workers with the skills to install, operate and maintain renewable energy systems and batteries. This will ensure that critical skills gaps are being addressed in Australia’s transition to a clean energy economy.
Background information
The Australian Government is investing $325 million in TAFE Centres of Excellence as part the National Skills Agreement. It will create up to 20 Centres of Excellence nationwide, targeting areas of high skills demand to support Australia’s strategic industries.
These Centres of Excellence will increase collaboration between TAFEs, through partnerships with employers, unions, universities and other stakeholders. They will deliver the skills people need for good, secure work and careers.
More information
- Visit the TAFE Centres of Excellence page
- Visit the National Skills Agreement page
- Read the Minister's media release