No one will be left behind as the nation transitions to renewable energy… that’s the promise from Premier Chris Minns.

The NSW and Australian Labor governments are jointly investing more than $60 million, over five years, to establish the Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at TAFE NSW’s Tighes Hill campus.

Both will outlay $28.1 million, with a further $5.27 million in federal funding to support the facility.

The aim is to accelerate the development of a Higher Apprenticeship model focused on the advanced skills required for net zero manufacturing, while growing the workforce to support the renewable energy industry through technology-integrated learning, increasing access to training in regional and remote areas of northern NSW via mobile units; and setting up a National Renewable Energy Microskills Marketplace.

The Centre of Excellence will also support both governments’ commitment to rebuilding local capacity, including delivering the skilled personnel required to build and maintain the NSW Tangara fleet.

“The Hunter is a powerhouse for energy and manufacturing and we’re proud to partner with the Albanese government to deliver this training centre so the community and industry have the skills needed to benefit from the energy transition,” said Mr Minns, who was joined by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles, NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan, Hunter MP Dan Repacholi, Paterson MP Meryl Swanson, Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon, Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley, Newcastle state MP Tim Crakanthorp and newly-elected Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge at the Tighes Hill campus.

“This is part of our plan to deliver affordable reliable energy and drive down emissions.”

Mr Minns said the increasing number of apprentices – particularly in trades such as electrotechnology, engineering, manufacturing and mechatronics – was vital to ensure NSW and Australia have the skills to transition mining, energy and manufacturing industries to a clean energy economy.

“We don’t regard spending on TAFE and vocational education as a drag or a line item on the budget,” he stated.

“We believe it’s an investment in the future.

“The truth of the matter is when you look at the exciting opportunities for the world’s economy and Australia’s place within it, there’s been a disconnect between where we’re heading and where we’ve been.

“We know that we’ve got a changing economy… and there’s real pressure on coal exports in the years ahead.

“But, we have an amazing chance to say to the next generation, particularly here in the Hunter, that there’s an exciting future for you in this industrial workforce.

“Green steel is just one of those examples.

“If you look at infraBuild, just across the water in Newcastle, they’re looking at massive expansion to take advantage of quotas in the European Union.

“Australia is uniquely placed to grab that export market and ensure we make money deep into the future, providing massive opportunities for young people.

“However, the disconnect has been the next generation coming through the workforce, making sure they’ve got the skills and education they need to participate in that new economy.”

And, that’s something Mr Minns is keen to fix.

“When we got into office in March 2023, there’d been a 50% reduction in the number of experienced TAFE teachers educating the next generation,” he said.

“Apprenticeships and traineeships had dropped by one third.

“Now, you can’t expect to be competitive in a global economy if you’ve reduced the amount of them by 33%.

“That puts pressure on the construction sector, on the housing sector, on export trades like steel, on a whole range of exciting and emerging economies that we want Australia to be at the forefront of.

“But, it requires an investment from the state and federal governments.

“So, hats off to the Commonwealth on this occasion.

“This has traditionally been a state responsibility, but Anthony (Albanese) personally led an investment in vocational education because he doesn’t want to leave this generation behind.

“In fact, we all see an exciting opportunity for youngsters right here in Newcastle.

“$28.1 million from each of us for the Centre of Excellence is just the beginning.

“You can expect more of this, not less, in the years ahead.

“We’re not going to leave anyone behind in terms of this economic renewal, this revolution… there’s a spot for everybody.”

Mr Albanese agreed, stating increasing the number of apprentices – particularly in trades such as electrotechnology, engineering and mechatronics – was vital to ensure NSW and Australia have the skills to transition mining, energy and manufacturing industries to a clean energy economy.

“This will help us meet the demand for net zero training to support decarbonising mining and manufacturing sectors as Australia transitions to net zero by 2050,” he said.

“There’s nothing more important than job creation and there’s nothing more important than having a plan for where the economy’s going and making sure we invest in new industries and the capacity of workers to be able to fill jobs in those industries.

“When we’re dealing with cost-of-living pressures, it’s important to ensure people have employment, along with good wages and conditions.

“This project is absolutely central to that.

“What will happen with this Centre of Excellence is a concentration on the renewable energy jobs of the future and making sure we have the investment, which we’re receiving at places like the Liddell site, and the workers who can fill those jobs.

“Look at the apprentices working here [today]… they’re all from the Hunter or Central Coast.

“So, we want to make sure that those opportunities are available.

“That’s why my government invested in fee-free TAFE.

“More than 500,000 Australians have participated in that scheme in areas of skill shortage.

“That will ensure they can go on to grab good, secure well-paid jobs.

“But, they’ll also make a contribution to our national economy.

“For me, it’s why this Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, focusing on renewable energy, is so important.”

Both the Property Council of Australia and Business Hunter welcomed the announcement on Tuesday 29 October.

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