The Electrical Trades Union will today (7 August) deliver a submission to federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen the need for more skilled electrical workers.
Bowen is hosting an energy roundtable in Sydney, which seeks to identify investment in and reform of “a skills and training system that is beyond capacity and fails to support apprentices” as a key priority, alongside “fixing a planning and assessment systems which kills training and jobs” by creating “valleys of death” between projects.
The ETU says Australia needs more skilled electrical workers to ensure a more resilient and productive national economy. The union believes the country can get them by expanding industry-led training, moving apprentices between renewable energy projects, and providing better mentoring and support.
A failure to address workforce shortages will act as a handbrake on efforts to decarbonise the economy and become a ‘Renewable Energy Superpower’, the ETU says.
The submissions recommends mandatory apprentice hiring on projects supported by public money, expansion of industry-led training initiatives with a near-90% completion rate, and reforming apprentice mentoring to deliver better support.
The submission recommends the establishment of industry-led group training programs in every renewable energy zone so that apprentices can move between projects.
It also recommends better pipelining of government funded projects in Renewable Energy Zones to smooth out peaks and troughs in demand for labour.
The Queensland Government is seeking to address challenges within the economy around skills shortages by delivering a $1.6 billion Finance, Trade, Employment and Training package as part of the latest state budget, as reported by this news service.
With one in five local jobs supported by exports, the budget includes $5 million in 2025-26 to help Queensland businesses expand into new international markets and strengthen existing trade relationships.
Diversity has long been integral to Australia’s labour workforce — driving economic growth, addressing skills shortages, and enhancing workforce inclusivity.
The Minerals Council of Australia projects Australia’s population will be 38 million by 2050 – meaning migration will contribute $1.6 trillion to the country’s GDP.
To boost productivity, address skills shortages, and build stronger communities the Australian Government has undertaken a review of the migration system, as reported by Mining.com.au.
In Western Australia, the government’s $4.25 million Skilled Migrant Job Connect Program expanded to regional locations. These locations include the Kimberley, Pilbara, Mid West, and Great Southern regions.
Launched in 2023, the program includes a subsidy to support Western Australia-based skilled migrants to access financial support of up to $7,500, to gain employment in occupations commensurate with their formal overseas qualifications, skills, and experience.
The ETU is a union of more than 60,000 electricians, apprentices, and electrical workers around Australia. It campaigns for raise wages, improved conditions, secure safety and improved life for its members.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: ETU
