A state-of-the-art new training facility for renewable energy will give workers the skills they need for the thousands of jobs to be created under the Palaszczuk Government’s landmark Energy and Jobs Plan.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk officially opened Electro Group’s Renewable Energy Training Facility at Pinkenba, where Cabinet also met.

“Our investment of $17 million towards this $23 million training centre of excellence will help create a skilled future workforce to provide cheaper, cleaner and secure energy for Queenslanders,” the Premier said.

“The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan will create around 100,000 new jobs, so facilities like this are critical in developing the skills to build new clean energy infrastructure and industries.

“As part of our plan, we will build Australia’s largest energy SuperGrid, delivering clean, reliable and affordable energy to power Queensland homes and industry.

“The Renewable Energy Training Facility will provide world’s best practice in electrical, solar renewable energy and telecommunications training, creating a future ready workforce and supporting our students to reach their full potential.

“This is a significant training centre not only for the region but for the state, in partnership with the Electrical Trades Union and Master Electricians Australia.”

Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the investment shows the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to creating a highly skilled future workforce in Queensland. 

“I’m proud of the vocational education and training ecosystem we have here in Queensland, and we have state of the art infrastructure to match,” Minister Farmer said.

“It is our workers who will make clean energy possible, and this training facility will create a skilled renewable energy workforce for Queensland.

“We will keep investing because it is important our future workforce is training in modern facilities like this one here at Pinkenba, that offer real learning experiences and prepare them for life on the job.”

The investment was part of the Palaszczuk Government’s Queensland Economic Recovery Strategy: Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs.

RETF is owned and operated by Electro Group Training (EGT), who will offer qualifications in renewable energy, train apprentices and assist licensed electricians to upgrade their skills to install, operate and manage solar and other renewable energy equipment safely.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said Queensland’s energy transformation was the Queensland’s greatest jobs opportunity in a generation.

“Our Sunshine State is blessed with incredible natural resources, but it’s our people - Queenslanders themselves, that are our greatest asset,” Minister de Brenni said.

“The Queensland SuperGrid and our plan to use local companies, via onshore component manufacturing wherever possible, will generate an expected 64,000 direct and indirect jobs in its construction and even more in its operation.

“Our plan invests in skills, training and support for both our existing energy sector workforce and creating the new jobs and careers of tomorrow.”

This project is complemented by the $10.6 million Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Training Facility at Bohle TAFE in Townsville as part of our $100 million Equipping TAFE for our Future initiative.

The SuperGrid is all of the elements in the electricity system, including the poles, wires, solar, wind and storage that will provide Queenslanders with clean, reliable and affordable power for generations.