‘Anything to build the workforce’
Wimmera development leader has praised Federation University plans to develop an Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Training Centre in Ballarat.
Wimmera Development Association executive director Chris Sounness said Federation University leaders’ plan to boost the job market in the renewable sector for regional and rural towns could support areas such as the Wimmera.
Mr Sounness said having more individuals with specialised skills would increase population growth in regional and rural communities.
“Anything to build up the workforce is great. The more specialised skills and capabilities that are brought to these towns is a real boost,” he said.
Mr Sounness said apart from having increased population growth, attracting people from the outer-metropolitan areas and overseas would have a significant impact on the image of rural and regional towns.
He used Nhill’s Karen community, which had generated new businesses in the town, as an example of the advantages of attracting people through jobs growth.
The Wimmera, southern Mallee and Western District, with ready access to ideal levels of wind, solar and bioenergy to generate power, loom as the ‘engine room’ to drive Victoria’s transformation from coal to renewable energy.
Independent, not-for-profit energytransformation advocate Re-alliance also welcomed plans for the energy training centre.
Re-alliance Victoria co-ordinator Tony Goodfellow said the centre would significantly increase the number of people entering the renewable-energy sector and allow for more people to stay in their hometowns.
He said Australians should prepare for a change of coal to renewable energy.
“Australia is in a unique position to take advantage of the world’s best sun and wind resources and grasp the opportunities of a clean energy export market,” he said.
Mr Goodfellow said a Clean Energy Council survey showed there was a ‘large’ gap in the number of skilled workers in regional and rural communities.
“We applaud Federation University’s leadership team for spearheading this important initiative. It is one of a kind in the Southern Hemisphere, so we hope other regions take note of the wide range of benefits that a training centre like this can bring,” he said.
Federation University’s APRETC will join other initiatives such as the $11-million ‘Growing our Clean Energy Workforce’ for apprenticeship pathways into the workforce supporting women entering the industry.