AIS Newsletter August 2022
In this month’s newsletter we focus on Australia’s growing renewables sector, strong movement in endorsed, approved and submitted training package projects, and the upcoming National Skills Week.
Industry Insight - Renewables Transforming Skills
Renewable technologies are transforming the skills and knowledge requirements of the workforce. As the energy and utilities industries transition away from fossil fuels, there is a need to create pathways for workers to develop transferable skills in renewable technologies, enabling a mobile workforce. There will be more demand for electricians, solar panel and battery installers, electrical line workers and skilled wind power technicians, and skills for the operation and maintenance of renewable power.
The federal government has committed to investing $100 million to support 10,000 apprenticeships in the energy sector over the next four years. The government’s plans for renewable energies are projected to drive $76 billion of investments, creating 604,000 jobs with five out of every six new jobs in regional Australia. Vocational education and training, including apprenticeships and traineeships, plays an important role in providing the much-needed skills to develop an agile and adaptable workforce.
The Energy and utilities industries— comprising of Electrotechnology; Electricity Supply Industry [ESI] Generation; ESI Transmission, Distribution and Rail; Gas; and Water— support almost every activity of our day-to-day life at home and at work. These industries are key to economic growth and productivity with an employment number of over 465,000 people and an annual revenue of $165 billion in 2021-22.
New trends and technologies are creating new challenges and opportunities for these industries, ramping up the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and devices as well as transitioning to decarbonization. There are currently over three million solar PVs in Australia, with over 389,000 of them only installed in 2021, marking a 3% increase compared to 2020.
In the past five years electricity generation from renewables has increased from 16.9% in 2017 to 32.5% in 2021. The graph below shows renewable electricity generation by type since 1990. As can be seen, renewable electricity generation has been increasing consistently over the past two decades. Hydropower produced the highest proportion of electricity up until 2018 but has been overtaken by small- and large-scale solar PVs producing 37.2% and wind producing 35.9% of total renewable electricity generation in 2020-21.
Source: Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, Australian Energy Statistics, Table 0, April 2022
The 2022 Energy and Utilities Industry Outlook has identified five megatrends impacting these industries: double disruptors; renewables, sustainability, and low emissions technologies; data analytics; labour shortages; and digital transformation. The identified megatrends will also impact the skills needs and labour supply of the energy and utilities industries. Skills development plays an important role in preparing the workforce for the impacts of these megatrends and alleviating the current labour shortages in Australia.
Training Package Development Updates
NEW TRAINING PACKAGE RELEASES ENDORSED
New releases of the Maritime, Police, and Transport and Logistics Training Packages were endorsed by Skills Ministers on 19 July.
The Industry Reference Committees responsible for these Training Packages, with support from their Technical Advisory Committees, developed the materials contained in these releases through the projects below to address priority skills needs and current industry practices:
MAR Maritime – Release 9.0
Marina Operations
The Certificate III in Marina Operations Qualification and seven associated Units of Competency have been updated to address changes in marina operations job roles and maritime regulatory requirements.
Vessel Traffic Services
A new Certificate III in Vessel Traffic Services and six new Units of Competency have been developed to address skills, knowledge, and regulatory requirements relevant to Vessel Traffic Services personnel.
POL Police Training Package Release 6.0
Police Surveillance
The Advanced Diploma of Surveillance and eight Units of Competency in the POL Police Training Package have been updated to address changes in technology and police surveillance practices, procedures, and requirements of police personnel undertaking surveillance.
TLI Transport and Logistics – Release 12.0
Customs Broking
A new Unit of Competency, and updates to the Diploma of Customs Broking and 18 Units, address updated regulatory requirements, technology changes and data analytics to enhance the resilience of the international supply chain.
Rail Traffic Pilot
One new Skill Set and one new Unit of Competency address the required skills and knowledge for Rail traffic pilots to manage rail traffic movement safely, efficiently, and effective across networks under a variety of circumstances.
Electric Heavy Vehicle
The Certificate III in Driving Operations has been updated and two new Units of Competency have been developed to address skills and knowledge for working with and operating battery electric bus, coach, or heavy vehicle.
Current Training Package development projects
There are currently 36 projects in progress covering all industries that AIS supports. Of these, Cases for Endorsement and draft materials for 25 projects have been submitted to the AISC for their consideration. Draft materials are at the validation stage for the other 11 projects. All projects are scheduled to be completed in 2022.
Training Package Releases submitted to AISC for approval
Aviation – AVI 10.0
Air Traffic Control
Chief Remote Pilot
Aviation Supervision
Commercial Pilot Helicopter
Corrections – CSC 5.0
Correctional practice
Defence – DEF 5.0
Electronic Forensics
Paralegal Services
Range Control Officer
Test and Evaluation
Work Diving
Moral Injury
Electrotechnology – UEE 4.0
Hazardous Areas
Electricity Meters
Advanced Diploma of Engineering – Electrical
Assess and Report on Smoke Control
ESI Generation – UEP 3.0
Control room operations
ESI transmission, Distribution and Rail – UET 4.0
Refresher Skills
Power and Network Systems
Public Safety – PUA 5.0
National Recovery Training Program (Stage 2)
Transport and Logistics – TLI 13.0
Driving Instruction.
Mobile Crane Operations
Rail Safety Management
Water – NWP 5.0
Water Network Maintenance
Flood Site Operations
Please visit the Projects page for a list of the projects
What's Happening!
National Skills Week - August 22-28
Australia continues to experience an increase in demand for skilled labour, which requires increased workforce participation, increased skill attainment and the employment of attraction and retention strategies. A large part of addressing this issue is providing ample education and information about the career and training possibilities and opportunities that are available to all Australians. National Skills Week aims to raise the awareness of the diversity of training and career opportunities available, pathways into training and education, and the importance of trades, skills and VET to today’s society.
Now moving into its twelfth year, National Skills Week will again set out to bring to life the positive messages, highlighting the talents, the skills, the career pathways and the value of apprentices and trainees across Australia to the wider public and employers. The week is dedicated to raising the status of practical and vocational learning.
To find out more about National Careers Week, go to www.nationalskillsweek.com.au
World Skills Australia
Registrations are now open for Virtual Skills Week Competitions as well as expressions of interest for 2022 Regional Competitions. Find out more on the World Skills Australia website.
Clean Energy Council - Clean Energy Careers Guide Webinar
The Clean Energy Council is hosting a webinar “Energise Your Career: The Enormous Job Opportunities in Clean Energy” on Monday, 22 August, to coincide with National Skills Week. If you would like to attend to learn about the many different careers on offer in clean energy in Australia, you can register for free here: https://cecevents.eventsair.com/energise-your-career/registration
