Overview:
In partnership with Energy Skills Australia (ESA), FES have been engaged by Powering Skills Organisation (PSO) to undertake the Foundation for Energy: Literacy and Numeracy for Energy Jobs Project.
This research project aims to gain a greater understanding and produce a potential to align literacy and numeracy requirements in school curricula with the skills needed for energy sector roles, focusing on students’ pathways through school to vocational education and training (VET) and apprenticeships. This will in turn enable the education of students and career advisors with an understanding of the literacy and numeracy competencies required to be successful in energy-related occupations.
FES and ESA will work closely with PSO to review key literature, school curriculum and engage with a range of industry stakeholders on a national level to provide a high quality
Project Timeline:
7 months (scheduled for completion April 2026)
Project Aims:
The aim of the project is to gain a greater understanding and produce a framework to align literacy and numeracy requirements in school curricula (yrs 9-12) with the skills needed for energy sector roles, focusing on students’ pathways through school to vocational education and training (VET) and apprenticeships.
Outcomes:
The intended key outcomes of the project are:
a) Support clear pathways into energy-related careers through curriculum pathways, stakeholder engagement, and improved narrative around required competencies in maths, english and science.
b) Map skills required from the key occupations back through the pathway for VET in key courses (apprenticeships) then down through offering and curriculum in yr 9-12.
c) Understand the literacy and numeracy requirements in maths, science, english pathways through traditional pathways to provide better pathway advice for students and career counsellors.
d) Inform VET apprenticeship programs with a clear framework on the literacy and numeracy pathway into their sectors.
e) Encourage a greater number of students who are better informed about the requirements to ensure there are less non-completions due to lack of understanding of numeracy and literacy requirements.
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Stage 2 survey
Have Your Say: Foundation for Energy – Literacy and Numeracy for Energy Jobs Survey
The aim of the survey is to gain a greater understanding of the literacy and numeracy requirements of energy sector roles and align these with the current literacy and numeracy requirements of training pathways from school (Years 9 -12) through to vocational education and training (VET) and apprenticeships.
Are you working in the energy sector as a:
- Electrician
- HVAC Technician
- Electrical Fitter
- Gas Service or Pipeline Technician
- Power Station Operator
- Electrical Lineworker
- Overhead Transmission Lineworker
Whether you’re a qualified tradesperson, trainer, employer, or apprentice — we want to hear from you!
Your insights will help us understand the literacy and numeracy skills used daily in critical energy sector roles.
🕒 It only takes a few minutes to complete.
📅 Survey closes: 30 November 2025
Share your experience now: https://forms.office.com/r/B31Cd6CWjL
Help us build a stronger foundation for Australia’s future energy workforce — your voice makes a difference!
Impact on the Electrical Industry:
This project will have a positive impact on the energy industry by helping to inform future work to ensure that school curricula is aligned to provide students with the skills they need to succeed in energy sector roles and provide achievable pathways through school to VET and apprenticeships.