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Youth

Hunter Region Faces Critical Skills Shortage in Clean Energy Sector

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Hunter region in Australia is set to experience a projected shortfall of 42,000 trade workers in the clean energy sector over the next decade. To address this skills gap, a pilot program called Net Z (ed) was launched to connect students with employers, exposing them to career opportunities in a net-zero economy. The program, seeded with federal government funding, has been tested in Hunter secondary schools with support from the NSW Department of Education and the University of Newcastle.

Key Takeaways:

  • A projected shortfall of 42,000 trade workers in the clean energy sector is expected in the Hunter region over the next decade.
  • The Net Z (ed) program aims to connect students with employers, exposing them to career opportunities in a net-zero economy.
  • The program has been tested in Hunter secondary schools with support from the NSW Department of Education and the University of Newcastle.
  • The program will expand statewide and offer experiences that go beyond STEM to include creative industries, business, and social impact.
  • The University of Newcastle played a critical role in translating clean energy innovations from the lab to real-world applications.
  • One standout project introduced students to photovoltaic system design, inspired by printed solar technology developed in Newcastle by Kardinia Energy.
  • CEO and founder of Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE), Duncan Burck, emphasized the importance of embedding practical, industry-aligned learning into the curriculum.

Statistics:

  • 42,000: Projected shortfall of trade workers in the clean energy sector over the next decade.
  • 50: Number of Maitland Grossman High School students who will graduate from the Net Z (ed) program on October 15.
  • 2.0: Version of the Net Z (ed) program, NSW Activation, launched alongside the graduation ceremony.
  • 10: Number of years the skills shortage is forecasted to persist.

Sources:

  • THE Hunter article by Alanna Tomazin
  • Committee for the Hunter
  • University of Newcastle
  • Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE)

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