Net Zero Output TAFE Center of Excellence in the Hunter

Both the Albanian and Minns Labor governments are investing $28.1 million, with a further $5.27 million in federal funding to support the centre.

This will accelerate the development of a higher apprenticeship model focused on the advanced skills required for net zero production.

The upgraded center will play a key role in developing new skills for Hunter workers, investing in their future.

This will enable access to jobs in the Hunter-Central Coast renewable energy area and provide the skilled workforce needed to support the renewable energy sector.

The Center of Excellence will:

• growing the workforce to support the renewable energy industry through technology-embedded learning, increasing access to training in regional and remote areas of northern NSW through mobile training units
• to establish a national renewable energy micro-skills marketplace enabling Australian TAFEs to share and access non-accredited digital courses related to the renewable industry.
• implements a superior apprenticeship model, integrating vocational education and training (VET) and higher education by combining essential trade skills such as electrotechnology, welding and manufacturing with higher level units in emerging areas such as digital technologies.

The center will also draw on partnerships between TAFE NSW, universities and local industry to pilot qualification models that provide parity of status between VET and higher education.

It follows the September announcement of the Western Sydney Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence and is the second of three TAFE NSW Manufacturing Centers of Excellence, driving skills training in advanced manufacturing and rebuilding onshore manufacturing capabilities.

Increasing apprenticeships – particularly in trades such as electrotechnology, engineering, manufacturing and mechatronics – is vital to ensure NSW and Australia have the skills to transition the mining, energy and manufacturing industries to a clean energy economy.

This will help it meet the demand for net zero training to support the decarbonisation of the mining and manufacturing sectors as Australia moves to net zero by 2050.

The center will also support both governments’ commitment to rebuilding our local manufacturing capacity, including providing the skilled workforce needed to build and maintain the NSW Tangara fleet locally.

The Albanian government is investing $325 million under the five-year National Skills Agreement, which began on January 1, to establish a network of up to 20 TAFE centers of excellence in areas of high skills need.

These centers will help provide a skilled workforce for strategically important industries to meet national challenges.

Quotes attributed to Prime Minister Antony Albanese:

“Investing in a Made in Australia future means investing in the skills and training industry will need for years to come.

“The Hunter has a proud history in industry and manufacturing – which makes it the perfect location for this Center of Excellence.

“This builds on the skills that are already part of the DNA of this region.”

Quotes attributed to NSW Premier Chris Minns:

“We are continuing our work to deliver three TAFE Centers of Excellence in NSW, a key part of our commitment to provide fully subsidized training for an additional 1,000 apprentices a year in advanced manufacturing and related industries.

“The Hunter region is a powerhouse for energy and manufacturing and we are proud to partner with the Albanian government to provide this training center so that the local community and industry have the skills to benefit from the energy transition.

“This is part of our plan to provide reliable, affordable energy and reduce emissions.”

Quotes attributed to Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles:

“The Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Center of Excellence is an excellent example of the Australian Government partnering with the states to place TAFE at the heart of the VET sector.

“This Center of Excellence in Net Zero Manufacturing will strengthen the VET system by providing high-quality training and responsiveness in the clean manufacturing economy.

“This will strengthen collaboration between universities and the VET sector. It will provide the skills and knowledge our manufacturing labor market requires as we accelerate our Net Zero ambitions and a Made in Australia future.

“I look forward to working with the NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, as together we build a performing, fairer and more dynamic VET sector to qualify Australians for the future.”

Quotes attributed to NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan:

“Skilled workers are essential to support NSW’s transition to net zero and clean energy and strengthen our onshore manufacturing capabilities in resources, aviation, defense and transport.

“The second of three TAFE NSW Manufacturing Centers of Excellence, the TAFE NSW Net Zero Manufacturing Center of Excellence – Newcastle / Hunter will provide opportunities to upskill the workforce so they can take full advantage of the opportunities it provides production from renewable sources.

“The Minns Government, like the Albanian Government – ​​is focused on building more in Australia, from our energy transition to making sure we have the skills to build the next trains here in NSW. That’s what it’s all about.”