To ensure Victoria has the pipeline of workers needed to support the energy transition, we are providing up to $4.9 million to secure a lead partner to establish the Wind Worker Training Centre.

The overarching vision for the Worker Training Centre is to support the renewable energy transition through quality, innovative and industry-responsive training that is inclusive of individuals at all skill and career levels and enable the growth of Victoria’s wind industry.

To achieve this, it is anticipated that the lead delivery partner will be part of a consortium including industry, education and other key stakeholders.

Victoria’s onshore and offshore wind sectors play key roles in helping Victoria meet its legislated renewable energy generation targets.

Offshore wind energy will bring considerable opportunity for Victoria’s workforce, mobilising thousands of workers to deliver Victoria’s offshore wind energy generation targets of 9 GW by 2040.

As set out in Cheaper, Cleaner, Renewable: Our Plan for Victoria’ Electricity Future, for a successful energy transition, it is essential to skill, up-skill, and train Victoria’s energy workforce and have a supply chain that meets our growing energy sector needs.

Our 3 guiding objectives

1. Coordinated and flexible

The Wind Worker Training Centre will provide responsive and flexible training that meets industry demand and is attractive to workers in a highly competitive national and international market.

2. Accessible and meaningfully inclusive

The Wind Worker Training Centre will build a workforce that is representative of the Victorian community by attracting and retaining cohorts who experience marginalisation, including women, First Peoples, people with a disability and multicultural communities.

3. Provide local benefits by supporting workforce development where it is needed

The Wind Worker Training Centre will co-locate with industry and existing training facilities where possible, to support workforce development in the locations where it is needed.

Commitment to First Peoples

The Victorian Government is committed to working in partnership with Traditional Owners as distinct rights holders to Land, Sea, River and Sky Country.

Traditional Owners and First Peoples’ communities have historically not had a seat at the table in the formation of the state’s energy infrastructure and technology development. Communities have been negatively impacted and disempowered by a lack of a voice or not receiving long-term and sustainable benefits from energy projects.

Within the scope of the Wind Worker Training Centre, we will ensure that First Peoples are at the centre of decision-making processes around issues that directly affect them and as such have opportunities to benefit from the renewable energy transition. The Worker Training Centre will build awareness and understanding of the opportunities for First Peoples in the wind sector, and create pathways for First Peoples to access, enter, and thrive in careers across the renewable energy industry.

We will continually be guided by Traditional Owners and First Peoples’ communities – now and into the future – who have expressed a strong interest in investing in renewable energy to deliver their interests and meet their communities’ cultural, spiritual and economic needs.

Funding

Up to $4.9 million in grant funding is available for the establishment of the Wind Worker Training Centre.

How to apply

Applications are now open.

Applications must be submitted by 5pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time) 16 July 2025.

Applicants can submit questions to training.centres@deeca.vic.gov.au no later than 5pm, (AED), seven calendar days (9 July) before the applications period closes.

Please see documents attached.