Growing our Clean Energy Workforce initiative in Victoria, Australia

In March 2022, the government of Victoria in Australia announced the AUD 11 million Growing our Clean Energy Workforce package, which includes subsidised apprenticeships, professional mentoring and access to ongoing education for women in the clean energy space. The state found that women are under-represented in the solar industry by a wide margin, accounting for less than 1% of electricians, plumbers, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics, solar designers and installers, and licensed electrical inspectors. Therefore, the aim of the Growing our Clean Energy Workforce initiative is to increase the number of women working in the renewables energy industry. In particular, the Victorian government will subsidise 50% of the cost of new apprenticeships to support more women entering the industry and provide apprentices a stipend for tools as well as incentive payments every six months. The programme will be managed by two training organisations: Ai Group Apprentice Training Centre and Apprenticeships Group Australia. In addition, the government will also offer free or low-cost training by professional organisations to women currently working in related energy industries, to allow them to upskill and transition to jobs in the renewables industry. As part of the package, the industry organisation Tradeswomen Australia will offer targeted support for women already working in, or considering joining, the solar industry through online workshops, information sessions and professional mentoring opportunities. The skills package builds off the Solar Homes programme launched in 2018, which offers households rebates for the installation of solar panels, batteries, solar hot water, zero emissions vehicles and heating upgrades. The Solar Homes programme more broadly is estimated to have created 5 500 clean energy jobs in the state since its inception. 

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