Victoria announces funding for clean economy manufacturing skills

The Victorian Government has announced a nearly $9 million funding package to bolster the state’s clean economy workforce, aimed at enhancing skills in environmental sustainability and clean technology.

The announcement comes as National Skills Week gets underway across the country — a week to recognise the importance of vocational training that leads to quality jobs. The investment will support TAFEs, universities, training providers and industry to establish practical Skills Labs where innovative new short courses called Skill Sets can be developed.

In response to the 2021 Macklin Review of Victoria’s training system, Skills Labs will involve industry partners in the development of new training approaches — including the creation of new Skill Sets, which are flexible, nationally recognised short courses designed to rapidly respond to skill shortages in the economy.

The funding package announced today includes $3.45 million to establish three Clean Economy Skills Labs — hosted at TAFE Gippsland and Melbourne Polytechnic — to develop training in offshore wind, circular design, manufacturing and meeting net-zero emissions targets.

As part of the package, RMIT will receive $970,000 to co-design three new Skill Sets in sustainable building practices. These Skill Sets are currently being piloted with industry professionals and students.

The ongoing development and delivery of Skill Sets are funded through a $32 million investment in the Victorian Budget 2024/25.

“Every National Skills Week I’m proud to celebrate our world-class vocational training system — and every year we continue to work hard to make sure Victorians have the skills they need for the in-demand jobs of the future,” said Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney. “Skills and training are vital to achieve our ambitious net zero emissions targets. We are continuing to invest in our TAFEs and training providers, in partnership with industry, to upskill workers for the clean economy.”

“As Australia’s largest dual-sector university, RMIT and our College of Vocational Education is primed to support the transition to a clean economy through the co-creation and delivery of new and emerging skills — working hand in glove with our industry partners, communities and government,” said Deputy Vice Chancellor Vocational Education and Vice President RMIT University Mish Eastman.

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