The Albanese and Minns Governments have launched a $2.5 million mobile training fleet at TAFE NSW Wollongong, bringing hands-on clean energy training to communities across New South Wales.
The initiative includes two mobile trucks, and two dual-purpose shipping containers customised to deliver renewable energy training, demonstrations, and engagement programs in solar, wind, and electric vehicle technologies.
The mobile units are part of the Energy Futures Skills Centre collaboration between TAFE NSW and the University of Wollongong, ensuring students, jobseekers, and regional communities gain the skills to participate in Australia's clean energy transition.
The Albanese Government is investing $2.5 million in this project, through the TAFE Technology Fund. The fleet includes:
- a mobile community engagement truck featuring virtual reality experiences and interactive displays that showcase renewable energy concepts and career pathways
- a mobile training truck providing hands-on experience with wind turbine, solar, and electric vehicle components aligned to existing qualifications
- two dual-purpose shipping containers that double as mobile classrooms, fitted with renewable energy systems, battery storage, and interactive learning tools.
One container is stationed in Wollongong, servicing the south and southwest renewable energy zones. The second will be based in Tamworth and travel to renewable energy zones and schools across that region.
The Albanese Government's $50 million TAFE Technology Fund is supporting TAFEs nationwide to modernise and expand their facilities, including upgrades to laboratories, workshops, and IT infrastructure.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
"The Albanese Labor Government is proud to be working with the Minns Labor Government to ensure people across NSW can get the skills to enable the clean energy transition to realise our net zero aspirations.
"What's fantastic about this announcement is we're meeting students where they are - literally.
"This mobile training fleet builds on our Free TAFE program, which has seen more than 287,000 enrolments in New South Wales.
"We're bringing clean energy skills to the streets, the schools, and the regions, making sure no one gets left behind in Australia's energy future."
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan:
"These trucks and containers are effectively TAFE NSW classrooms on wheels, designed to take hands-on renewable energy training to where it's needed most."
"The fleet brings learning to life, giving students and jobseekers the chance to experience renewable technologies up close, and to see the exciting careers that come with them.
"It's another example of TAFE NSW leading the way in providing practical, industry-aligned training that supports local economies and the clean energy transition."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes:
"I am so excited to see one of the first outputs of TAFE's collaboration with the Energy Futures Skills Centre - something I have been fighting hard for.
"Our region needs the skills to embrace the job opportunities of the clean energy future and local young people know the value this training can provide. Ensuring people in the regions are well-positioned to access the jobs of the future is absolutely vital.
"The Illawarra is a true innovator of renewable energy, and I am proud of the work the Albanese Government is doing to support our energy and economic transition."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Illawarra and the South Coast and, Member for Keira, Ryan Park:
"The Illawarra is at the heart of the state's clean energy future, with the Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone set to play a major role in delivering new jobs, investment and innovation for our region.
"This new mobile training fleet will ensure local people have the skills needed to take part in that transformation."
Quotes attributable to Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully MP:
"The Minns Government is investing in training the workforce of the future and these mobile training options provides hands-on clean energy training opportunities to more people in more parts of NSW to support the renewable energy roll-out.
"This investment in Wollongong TAFE, in partnership with the University of Wollongong, compliments other investments including the Illawarra Heavy Industry Manufacturing Centre of Excellence."
