Engaging in the clean economy requires skilled workers into the future. It is estimated that around 10,000 additional jobs per year will be required. With occupations such as architectural, building, surveying, plumbing, labourers, civil engineering draftspersons, electrician, electrical engineers and mechanics in high demand. The revival of the State Electricity Commission (SEC) will create opportunities around these occupations, with more work required.
The Victoria Government recently released the Clean Economy Workforce Development Plan. This ten-year plan will be used to inform government planning and investment to hopefully fulfill these requirements.
The strategy has five priorities which are further underpinned by a series of key actions:
- Reimagined skills model
- Flexible education and training product design
- Timely provision of education and training
- Enhanced workforce planning and attraction
- Stewardship of the skills transition
The government acknowledges that the education and training system will be vital in preparing the workforce for the clean economy. Detailed in the report is that the education system will require the following:
- coordination of workforce planning to understand competing supply issues in key occupations and skills
- realignment of current skills models with current products being able to accommodate the increase in demand for multi-disciplinary skills.
- to match the pace and nature of workforce demand through the streamlining of processes for developing, accrediting and delivering education and training.
However, the government believes that the foundations to facilitate these are in place already, with the Victorian Skills Plan and state-based accreditation through VRQA.
Another suggestion is to establish alliances between industry to codevelop the needed education and training. Also, multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting of skills will need to be the focus in training product design and content. Quickly supporting the accreditation of short courses will be required by the VRQA with the Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery driving a more collaborative and unified TAFE network. To support this, the government has committed funds to build and improve TAFE campuses.
The Clean Economy is fast approaching, if not already here. Education and training will be vital to ensure we can meet this challenge. We hope, with this plan and skills development through established foundations, we can ensure the education and training system can adapt to meet this challenge.
For more information, please visit Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions website.
