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One Gippsland calls for government investment to establish Gippsland as a leading offshore wind and energy hub

One Gippsland urges government investment in five key education projects to position Gippsland as an offshore wind and energy leader, ensuring local workers are prepared for thousands of new renewable energy jobs.

By news@gippsland - 24th January 2025 - Back to News

One Gippsland is calling on the government to make Gippsland a true centre of offshore wind and energy excellence by investing in five pivotal tertiary education projects for the region at the next budget. All education projects will allow school leavers and those transitioning away from traditional energy producing industries to take advantage of employment opportunities, particularly in the renewables and new energy sector.

One Gippsland urges government investment in five education projects to establish Gippsland as an offshore wind and energy hub, creating opportunities for school leavers and transitioning workers in the renewable energy sector

Investing in Gippsland

One Gippsland Chair Cr Scott Rossetti said there was no time to waste in ensuring the local workforce was ready to meet demand with 12 licences now in place for offshore wind projects off the Gippsland coast. One Gippsland has identified the following as its priority projects in education and training:

• Gippsland Renewable Energy Precinct Project ($2.28 million for planning)
• Clean Energy Centre for skills and training, Morwell campus
• Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Training Centre - Gippsland Campus ($3.9 million for stage two)
• Expansion of TAFE Gippsland's Warragul campus ($41.5 million)
• Morwell Trade Skills Uplift ($61.4 million for stage two)

"The Gippsland region has an opportunity to become an offshore wind and energy centre of excellence, but this requires investment into the key institutions to make our people great," Cr Rossetti said.

Training for energy future

The federal government estimates wind projects off the Gippsland coast could support more than 3,000 jobs over the next 15 years during development and construction, and 3,000 ongoing operational jobs. "We need to invest now in training those who will work offshore or in construction and maintenance," Cr Rossetti said. "We want Gippslanders to be studying now and gaining experience with industry so they are first in line when the jobs are advertised."

"The state government has committed $5 million to the first stage of a Clean Energy Centre for skills and training at the Morwell TAFE campus. The Latrobe Valley will be at the heart of the energy transition and this centre will be a vital facility to ensure local people will have the skills that industry will need."

"We are not just preparing for new jobs in the energy sector: we also need to meet demand for construction and hospitality industry training, as well as for skills to support our valuable food and fibre sector," Cr Rossetti said.

Investing in energy education

Director Regional Engagement and Strategy at Federation University, Professor Andrew O'Loughlin, said the university's industry partners were committed to supporting energy education and training within the Gippsland region. "We already work very closely with the energy sector, TAFE Gippsland as well as local and state governments and welcome federal government investment in projects that are an urgent priority both for Victoria and Australia more broadly," Professor O'Loughlin said.

TAFE Gippsland Chief Executive Officer Laura Macpherson said TAFE Gippsland remained committed to supporting the region by providing skills and training in new energy. "It is vital that our region's future is supported by investment in critical projects to ensure we are well prepared to meet the skills and training requirements of this evolving industry," Ms Macpherson said.

Cr Rossetti said the projects represented a significant investment in quality education in Gippsland. "This is what industries need. It's what our communities demand and it's what our young people deserve," Cr Rossetti concluded.

Pictures from One Gippsland Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com