Transition opportunities: coal to offshore wind

Australia is going through a once in a lifetime transition to renewable energy. The offshore wind industry will play a major part in this transition, alongside onshore wind, solar, hydrogen and battery energy storage. Gippsland, which makes up the southeastern part of Victoria, has been home to much of Victoria's coal mining and power generating capacity for over 100 years. The case studies outlined in this document provide example pathways for the six different work groups identified by EnergyAustralia as making up half their workforce at its Yallourn coal-fired power station. A collaborative initiative of EnergyAustralia, Southerly Ten, Federation University and TAFE Gippsland with the support of the Victorian Government's Clean Economy Workforce Capacity Building Fund, the guide outlines the potential pathways for Victoria's coal mining and power generation workforce to reskill for careers in Gippsland's emerging offshore wind industry with as little as a few months of training.

There are three case studies for each of six different work groups, mapping out pathways for how workers can upskill or retrain, to ensure they are work ready and highly employable as the offshore wind industry commences in the region. The guide argues that many workers at Yallourn power station will be able to transition to employment in the offshore wind industry due to the similarity in skills and qualifications between the two industries. It also highlights the training pathways that will be required, many of which will be supported by the region's existing education and training institutions.

Edited excerpts from publication and publisher's website. Show less