As Australia transitions to a clean economy there are both known areas of change such as electrification and offshore wind and emerging areas such as renewable hydrogen and the circular economy. The output of many materials, products and services required for a clean economy will have to ramp up dramatically, and that will require adequate numbers of skilled workers.

While there is some uncertainty about where the skill needs will be, the International Labour Organisation has estimated that globally the clean energy transformation will create 25 million jobs and lead to a loss of 7 million jobs.

The transition has the potential to involve all industries, not only those in the low carbon and environmental goods and services sector. All businesses will need to use natural resources efficiently and sustainably. Therefore skill needs are likely to be multi-layered. Industry needs deep, technical skills but also transferable skills.

Our speakers explored how Australia can develop the workforce required for a clean economy:

• What skills are needed in a transition to a clean economy?
• What skills challenges are companies experiencing now?
• What macro-level workforce planning is underway?
• How does education and training need to change to support the transition?

Presenters:       

Michael Brear, Director, Melbourne Energy Institute, University of Melbourne and Net Zero Australia project

Dr Anita Talberg, Director – Workforce Development, Clean Energy Council

Craig Brewer, Talent Acquisition Lead – Australia, Worley

Jane MacMaster, Chief Engineer, Engineers Australia

Host:

Megan Lilly, Executive Director, Ai Group Centre for Education & Training