Insights from the 2025 PSO Workforce Plan 

The recently released Powering Skills Organisation 2025 Workforce Plan, High Load, Short Supply: Bridging the Gap to 2030, offers a landmark analysis of the workforce challenges and opportunities facing Australia’s energy sector. Developed through engagement with over 280 organisations, and shaped by 3,000+ comments and 100+ proposed solutions, the plan provides a strategic roadmap to support the nation’s clean energy transition.

At Future Energy Skills, we’re proud to see our work reflected in several key areas of the report, particularly in workforce development, diversity initiatives, and foundational training reform.

Clean Energy Workforce Needs in Victoria

The report highlights the massive growth in renewable energy projects, particularly in Victoria, where 33 major developments are underway. Projects like the Golden Plains Wind Farm (1.3 GW) and the Portland Battery Energy Storage System (1 GW) are driving demand for skilled electrical workers, especially in regional areas.

As Victoria transitions towards full electrification and solar uptake increases (currently only 28% of households have rooftop solar), the need for electrification and energy efficiency skills is surging. This is an area Future Energy Skills is actively supporting through initiatives like the Energy Efficiency Management Project. However, the workforce isn’t keeping pace. Severe shortages exist across energy trades, e.g., electricians, HVAC technicians, electrical engineers, and transmission workers, with job listings doubling over the past decade. While 13,000 apprentices are currently in training, 18,000 are needed, and completion rates sit at just 60%. The need for targeted support and training pathways is urgent.

Strengthening Schools-to-Industry Outcomes

The report identifies a significant gap in awareness about clean energy careers within primary and secondary schools. Trades continue to be stigmatised, and vocational pathways are often undervalued compared to university routes.

To address this, the plan calls for stronger collaboration between schools, training providers, and industry to:

• Promote energy careers from an early age,
• Provide hands-on exposure and clear career pathways, and
• Elevate vocational education and training (VET) to be seen as equal to university pathways.

We’re actively addressing these challenges through projects such as the Foundation for Energy: Literacy and Numeracy for Energy Jobs Project (working jointly with Energy Skills Australia for PSO), which aims to ensure that school curricula are aligned to provide students with the skills they need to succeed in energy sector roles.

Diversity, Gender Equity & Inclusion in Electrotechnology

The report highlights persistent underrepresentation in energy trades in Victoria:

• Women make up just 3.4% of the workforce.
• First Nations representation is 0.7%, well below the state average.

While apprenticeship diversity is improving, more targeted support is needed.

The Australian Government’s Building Women’s Careers (BWC) program is driving structural and cultural change in training and workplaces, which is critical to building a Future Made in Australia. Future Energy Skills is proud to have secured funding for one of just ten large-scale partnership projects under this initiative, through our Powering Women into Clean Energy Apprenticeships project (formerly Transforming Gender Equity Clean Energy Apprenticeships).

This project will address the clean energy skill shortages through the design and implementation of gender equity apprenticeships in Victoria and Tasmania.

Future Planning & Strategic Recommendations

Looking Ahead

Victoria’s Electricity Future Plan aims for 65% renewable electricity by 2030, creating 59,000 clean energy jobs. The 2025 PSO Workforce Plan provides the roadmap to get there—by addressing skills shortages, reforming training systems, and building a workforce that reflects the diversity and strength of Australia.

This report is a call to action. For government, industry, educators, employers, and communities to work together and ensure Australia has the skilled, inclusive, and future-ready workforce it needs.

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Find out more about our electrical industry workforce development projects at futureenergyskills.com.au/projects/