More than half the workers at Victoria’s Yallourn coal-fired power station are in a position to transition to working in the nascent offshore wind industry, according to a new report from the Victorian government.
Published by the Victorian government on Wednesday, the ‘Transition Opportunities: Coal to Offshore Wind’ guide outlines the potential pathways for Victoria’s coal mining and power generation workforce in Gippsland.
Gippsland, which makes up the southeastern part of Victoria, has been home to much of the state’s coal mining and power generating capacity for over 100 years, and at its peak is estimated to have supplied over 90 per cent of the state’s electricity.
However, with plans to retire an anticipated 5GW worth of coal generation capacity over the next 15 to 20 years, the Victorian government is working hard to prepare a future for its coal workforce.
“With strong offshore wind resources, local transmission infrastructure, an experienced supply chain, and a rich history of power generation, the Gippsland region is in an excellent position to transition into offshore wind,” says the report.
There are three case studies for each of six different work groups, mapping out pathways for “how workers can upskill or retrain, to ensure they are work ready and highly employable as the offshore wind industry commences in the region.”
According to the report, many workers at Yallourn power station will be able to transition to working in the offshore wind industry due to the similarity in skills and qualifications between the two industries.
The report also highlights the training pathways that will be required – many of which will be supported by the region’s existing education and training institutions.
For example, someone working today as a boilermaker would be able to undertake short courses and certificates that take from between two weeks to six months, which would qualify them as a near coastal engineer, maritime welder, construction welder, or fabrication supervisor.
Or, a mechanical fitter could retrain to be a wind turbine technician, marine fitter, deck mechanic, or cable technician, or could upskill further to become a mechanical engineer through a diploma or graduate certificate through Victoria’s TAFE network.
“We’re taking workers with us through every step of the transition to net zero and these transferable skills and training opportunities are key to helping them prepare for the future,” said Lily D’Ambrosio, Victoria’s minister for energy and resources.
With plans to build at least 2GW of offshore wind energy generation by 2032, 4GW by 2035, and 9GW by 2040, those working today in the coal industry could prove pivotal for the construction, operation, and maintenance of Victoria’s offshore wind generation industry.
The Victorian government is working with EnergyAustralia – which owns and operates the Yallourn power station – to ensure a managed transition is carried out through the retirement of Yallourn in 2028, including a $10 million worker support package to help workers and their families plan for the future.
“Gippsland has always been critical to keeping the lights on across Victoria – and it will continue to be into the future while providing skilled jobs across the region,” said Harriet Shing, member for Eastern Victoria.
To view the report, visit energyaustralia.com.au/offshorewindjobs.
