The Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence was proud to participate in Energy Exchange Australia (EXA) 2026, one of Australia’s leading platforms for collaboration and innovation across the energy sector, from 10 to 12 March 2026 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Across two core sessions, the Centre highlighted its commitment to building a skilled, future‑ready workforce for Australia’s clean energy transition.
Skilling the clean energy workforce
On 10 March, the Centre hosted the session “Skilling the Clean Energy Workforce at Speed and Scale”, contributing to EXA’s extensive conference program dedicated to advancing the nation’s energy future.
The panel brought together experts from the industry:
- Sridaran Sabapathy, Vice President from OPITO
- Stefan Vis, Learning and Research Development Leader from ERGT
- Kathleen Wallace, A/General Manager Training Services from North Metropolitan TAFE
- Julie Binks, Training and Development Manager from Pacific Energy
- Andy Gray,Technical Director from Murchison Green Hydrogen
The experts discussed the capabilities, partnerships and rapid workforce development needed to support Australia’s growing clean energy ambitions.
The discussions highlighted:
- Safety must scale with speed, with consistent national training and strong industry involvement to manage risks as new workers enter the sector.
- Australia has an opportunity to strengthen training systems by aligning systems nationwide, boosting mobility, reducing duplication and accelerating clean energy deployment.
- Workforce planning must start early, with labour‑market modelling and training capacity built ahead of major project decisions.
- TAFEs and industry must partner to grow skills fast, diversifying lecturers, modernising facilities to meet rising demand especially in electrical and renewables trades.
- Massive workforce growth is coming, with peak construction before 2030 and major demand for electricians, construction trades, transmission specialists and renewables technicians across major regional projects.
Supporting future talent
On 12 March, CESNCE’s General Manager, Ty Theodore, joined “Finding Your Future in the Energy Sector”, an interactive session designed for students and early‑career professionals exploring pathways into the energy industry.
Featuring insights from Kate Bardill from Woodside Energy, Scott Draper from the University of Western Australia, Jen Mortenson from Shell, Peter Carmichael from Bhagwan Marine, Simone Spencer from Department of Energy and Economic Diversification, the panel offered practical guidance on emerging skillsets and opportunities across the sector.
Insights from the experts include:
- Careers in clean energy evolve through adaptability, hybrid skills and diverse experiences rather than linear paths.
- Future-ready talent depends on integrated education, strong industry partnerships and active efforts to attract diverse candidates.
- Practical, hands-on experience and transferable capabilities are essential for building a resilient workforce for the energy transition.
Both sessions reinforced the Centre’s ongoing focus on capability building, education‑industry collaboration and supporting people at every stage of their journey into the clean energy workforce. By engaging with industry experts and future talent, the Centre continues to help drive a stronger, more resilient energy future for Australia.
