Iberdrola Australia and TAFE Gippsland partner to train next generation of energy workers
Building a strong local skilled workforce ready for jobs in the renewable energy sector will be the focus of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Iberdrola Australia and TAFE Gippsland.
The MoU will strengthen collaboration across education and training, workforce development and local participation in Gippsland, where Iberdrola Australia is developing its proposed Aurora Green Offshore Wind Project.
The partnership outlines a shared commitment to build the skills, knowledge and capability locally, to support the region's emerging offshore wind industry and broader renewable energy pipeline.
Iberdrola Australia CEO Paul Simshauser said the partnership would keep the existing and future workforce in the Gippsland region at the forefront of power generation as Australia shifts towards a renewable energy future.
"As a company with a large and growing fleet of renewable energy assets here in Australia, this will allow us to provide our industry expertise to support TAFE Gippsland in its activities to train and upskill Gippsland locals in readiness for new renewable energy jobs," Mr Simshauser said.
"The partnership will create opportunities for us to share knowledge, as well as the possibility of site tours for teachers and students so that they can get a first-hand look at renewable energy projects in operation.
"This would allow us to build a strong, skilled local workforce that can support not only offshore wind, but other energy projects and keep Gippsland at the forefront of powering Vicotria for decades to come.
TAFE Gippsland CEO James Montgomery said the MoU with Iberdrola Australia was integral to making sure the organisation delivered industry specific training for the next generation of renewable energy workers.
“TAFE Gippsland, through its Centre of Excellence, is the leader in training in the renewable energy space,” he said.
“In addition to our state-of-the-art Clean Energy Centre, we are building a renewable energy digital training facility at our Morwell campus and we are leading the development of innovative, future focussed and industry relevant curriculum and delivery models across TAFE network to ensure its industry ready.
“Having Iberdrola along for this journey will be valuable to provide industry experience and insight so our students can see the pathway to their future careers very clearly.”
The partnership comes at a pivotal moment for Australia's emerging offshore wind industry, with the Victorian Government's first offshore wind auction opening last month.
Iberdrola Australia's proposed 3 GW Aurora Green offshore wind project would be located 25km+ off the coast between Seaspray/The Honeysuckles and Woodside Beach in the Gippsland declared offshore wind area.
