Achieving net zero is a big job, and Steve James is doing his part

Educational institutions like TAFE provide the critical training required to meet our net zero goals. Find out why our tradies will drive this transition.

Climate change affects everyday Australians.

Australia will need close to two million workers in building and engineering trades by 2050 to meet our net zero commitments – an increase of around 40 per cent from where we are now.

The next generation of tradies will play a key role in this transition as traditional industries such as coal and gas continue their steady decline.

But as these industries exit, new opportunities for workers, families and communities will emerge with the increasing adoption of renewable energy.

Steve James is currently studying to be an electrician at TAFE NSW, and sees renewables as a big part of his trade's future.

"As the world moves to more renewable energy, the net zero transition is going to touch all the trades, in one way or another," he said.

"I began working in refrigeration and air conditioning over 20 years ago as they were converting CFC refrigerants to non-ozone depleting ones," he explained.

This early exposure to environmental issues sparked an interest in understanding how his trade impacts the climate and the ways in which it can drive the transition to net zero.

Institutions such as TAFE will play a crucial role in achieving the net zero goals, as education and training sectors will be needed to ensure we have a workforce that's ready to meet our clean energy goals.

James noted that the TAFE curriculum now includes topics like renewable energy technologies and minimising waste on worksites.

"Some apprentices that graduated over the last few years have even come back to do additional modules around safety and connection of alternative supplies, including generators and solar inverters," he pointed out.

Opportunities for ongoing education ensures tradespeople are up-to-date with the latest renewable energy developments and ready to handle new technologies safely and effectively.

Australia's path to a sustainable future

Jason Herbohn, the Director of Infrastructure, Energy, and Construction at TAFE NSW, said we are already starting to see demand for courses in renewables and green technology rise as community adoption increases.

This trend aligns with the steady growth of rooftop solar, battery installations, and the shift from gas to electric appliances in Aussie households.

In fact, electrification of residential properties alone is predicted to create around 13,500 full-time jobs over the next decade, highlighting the immediate need for qualified tradespeople.

"TAFE creates lots of qualifications to help set our apprentices up for success as demands change," added Herbohn.

"We train them on a wide range of topics: from solar installation and electric vehicle infrastructure, to hydrogen energy and wind farm developments."

Looking ahead, Herbohn believes that aligning education more closely with industry needs is essential for a smooth transition to net zero.

"At the end of the day, it's about staying current for all trades."

"We need to be in lockstep with industry or slightly ahead, considering the time required to develop training products and prepare teachers," he advised.

Gearing up for the transition

The transformation of Australia's workforce will rely heavily on Federal and State government support.

"In the past, governments subsidised replacing a lot of old fittings and appliances with more sustainable options, which provided greater incentives for tradespeople," James added.

"More government actions like this would ease the transition."

Federal programs such as the New Energy apprenticeships have already been set up to help workers access tools, technology and training for new energy projects.

And, apprentices training in eligible occupations under this program can access payments worth up to $10,000 over the course of their studies.

To see what other financial support is available, check out Australian Apprenticeships or the NSW jobs website for more information.

With accessible education and hands-on training, we can gear-up a workforce that will create a more sustainable Australia.

Want more information on how your climate is changing? Check out the last article in this series.

Mandeep Singh is a Senior Project Officer at the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub.

This column is part of a collaboration between Monash University and News Corp to deliver hyperlocal weather and climate information.