In another step to ensure local communities are first in line for the jobs created by the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), the Minns Labor Government has committed $1.5 million to train the apprentice sparkies and other tradies needed to build and power the region's clean energy future.
With the REZ expected to generate more than 1,800 construction jobs and almost 1,000 ongoing operational roles, this investment will provide another avenue for locals to gain the skills needed to take advantage of these opportunities.
Delivered under the Minns Labor Government's Renewable Energy Skills Strategy, the $1.5 million Group Training Organisation program will help apprentices and trainees gain the qualifications they need, while making it easier and cheaper for local businesses to employ workers.
It involves free pre-apprenticeship and pre-employment training, giving aspiring tradies the practical skills, qualifications and tickets needed to step straight into renewable energy jobs.
Delivered by local not-for-profit organisation Skillset, in partnership with EnergyCo and the Department of Education, the program removes a key barrier for industry by allowing employers to support apprentices and trainees for the duration of their project rather than committing to hosting a full four-year apprenticeship.
If a host employer's construction contract comes to an end, Skillset will place apprentices with another employer, allowing them to continue their training while gaining experience across multiple projects and worksites.
The program will also make it easier for businesses to take on apprentices and trainees by reducing recruitment, payroll, compliance and training administration costs.
The Group Training Organisation (GTO) program is now open to host business applications and expressions of interest from job seekers. Find out more here: energyco.nsw.gov.au/cwo-gto
The initiative will help industry meet government workforce requirements, including minimum targets of 20% apprentices in the trade workforce and 20% learning workers across the total project workforce.
The GTO program complements more than $13 million in workforce and local business initiatives already underway in the Central-West Orana REZ.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said:
"Renewable Energy Zones are about more than building the energy system NSW needs - they also create local jobs and business opportunities for regional communities.
"By allowing employers to take on apprentices for the duration of their project, then placing the apprentices with other projects to complete their studies, we'll help more tradies kick-start their career and give them a strong future."
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:
"As a regional MP in the Skills portfolio, I know how important it is for REZ communities to see the long-term benefit of the energy transition. It is a real benefit in well-paid local jobs and this Minns Government initiative means those jobs will be gained by local people.
"Building the energy infrastructure NSW needs can't happen without the sparkies, tradies and skilled workers to build it. That's exactly what this investment will do - helping locals secure in-demand jobs while giving Central West businesses the skilled workforce they need.
"Feedback I was getting made it clear that we needed a Group Training model to ensure that a young person could be taken on as an apprentice and work across a number of projects over the period of their apprenticeship. Without this structure we would have seen far fewer apprentices.
"This program makes it easier and cheaper for businesses to take on local apprentices by cutting red tape and reducing admin, so they can gain the qualifications needed and build long-term careers in an industry with a strong future.
"The former Liberals and Nationals Government created the REZ but completely failed to put in place a strategy to build long-term skills for locals - long-term jobs for the region. That's what we are doing with this important initiative."
