Clean Energy Capacity Study update

Jobs and Skills Australia will deliver our final Clean Energy Capacity Study report to the Australian Government in September this year. This is an extension on the original mid-year timeframe to better align our work with recent budget announcements, including the establishment of a new Net Zero Authority to support workers, industries and communities seize the opportunities of the net zero transformation; a further $2 billion announced for the Hydrogen Headstart program; and a $1.6 billion Energy Savings Plan to improve energy efficiency. This extension will allow us to engage in wider stakeholder consultation on the development of the final report.

The study will build on existing research and will deepen understanding of the clean energy sector by clarifying what jobs and industries make up Australia’s clean energy workforce, analysing different scenarios for how we could reach net zero by 2050, understanding how many workers will be needed (and where), and who will have the skills to take on those jobs.

The study will also examine the possibilities for workers in high-emitting sectors to transition to new roles in their communities, as well as exploring how the workforce opportunities created by clean energy can be shared across regions and with First Nations Australians.

Since the study’s discussion paper was released for comment earlier in the year, we have received 35 written submissions and conducted 5 roundtable discussions with key stakeholders from TAFE, unions, universities, industry and businesses within the clean energy sector. State and territory government forums are also being held regularly and further roundtables will be held as the study progresses.

The study team has also been informed by 2 recent events: the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy Roundtable in Alice Springs, and the Australia-Singapore Green Skills Roundtable.

The First Nations Clean Energy Strategy Roundtable brought together representatives from the Northern Territory First Nations community and traditional owners, government agencies and industry to ensure that First Nations people, communities and organisations have a say in net-zero policies and programs. This strategy is being led by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and is slated to be released in 2024.

We then presented at the Australia-Singapore Green Skills Roundtable on the scope and progress of the Clean Energy Capacity Study. This roundtable supports knowledge sharing between the two countries on skills development for new and emerging occupations in the green economy.

An 18 member steering group has also been established to support the study. The members represent government, industry peak bodies, unions, universities, VET providers and research bodies.

More information about the study can be found on our website. Still have questions? Get in touch with the Clean Energy Capacity Study team at  CleanEnergyWorkforce@jobsandskills.gov.au