Victoria’s clean economy workforce driving net-zero

The Victorian Government is supporting the state’s workforce as we move towards net zero by 2045, releasing a 10-year clean economy plan to create the training and skills opportunities for workers, businesses, and industry.

The Clean Economy Workforce Development Strategy 2023–2033 was released this week, which provides a planning and investment framework to support the workforce and create training pathways to meet industry’s growing demand for skills.

Victoria’s transition to a clean economy is expected to create 10,000 jobs each year from now until 2030 and transform more than 500,000 existing jobs through new skills training.

These new roles range from energy auditing to environmental certification, solar technicians, climate change analysis and more. Targeted training and skills programs will address the increased skills demand in key sectors including manufacturing, engineering, electricity, and construction.

To drive the workforce transition, the new strategy outlines 5 strategic priorities including a reimagined skills model, flexible education and training, and enhanced workforce planning and attraction.

A strong energy workforce is critical in ensuring renewable energy targets of 95% by 2035, which will create 59,000 jobs and an additional 6,000 apprentices.

The Victorian Government is also bringing back the State Electricity Commission (SEC) to help create these jobs, as well investing an initial $1 billion toward in new renewable energy and storage projects.

There is also $12 million to create an SEC Centre of Training Excellence, new renewable energy VET certificates and a Victorian Energy Jobs Plan to support the renewable energy industry, with this plan addressing the workforce capability and capacity to respond to Victoria’s renewable energy transition.

Another key part of the strategy is ensuring workers are ready to seize opportunities as part of the Victorian Government’s $515 million transformation and reform of Victoria’s waste and recycling industry.

Using the Victorian Skills Plan as a roadmap, the government will also work with TAFEs and industry to develop fit-for-purpose accredited training that meets the needs of Victoria’s emerging renewable energy sector.

Visit Training, skills and higher education to read the Clean Economy Workforce Development Strategy 2023–2033.