NECA supports a Future Made in Australia

The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) congratulates the Albanese Government for their significant investment in skills and training, announced in tonight’s Federal budget.

CEO of NECA, Oliver Judd, said the investment in skills and training to support a future made in Australia, will underpin Australia’s efforts to address the forecast shortfall of 32,000 electricians by 2030. It will also support the nation’s efforts to secure net zero by 2050. 

“This skills and training funding secures a stable electrical workforce to support the next decade of energy, infrastructure, housing and defence projects.” Mr Judd said.

“I thank Minister O’Connor for engaging closely with NECA in the development of the skills and training initiatives announced tonight. This funding has today ensured organisations like NECA will be able to train the future Australian electrical workforce”. 

Minister O’Connor today announced the following programs which NECA supports: 

•    A $50 million capital and equipment investment fund for facility upgrades to expand clean energy training capacity across wind, solar, pumped hydro, grid battery storage, electricity networks and hydrogen, as well as key electrical and construction trades;

•    $30 million to turbocharge the clean energy teacher, trainer and assessor workforce;

•    Establishing advocacy and promotional work for clean energy careers; and

•    Support for small and medium businesses taking on clean energy, construction and manufacturing apprentices through access to Group Training Organisation services, with up to $1,500 in annual reimbursements over the life of an apprenticeship;

•    $62.4 million, working with states and territories, to deliver an additional 15,000 Fee-Free TAFE and VET places$26.4 million, working with states and territories, for the Pre-Apprenticeships – Trade Experience Program, to deliver approximately 5,000 places in pre-apprenticeship programs over two years from 1 January 2025;

•    $55.6 million over four years for the Building Women’s Careers program. This program will support women into flexible, safe and inclusive work and training opportunities and will drive structural and cultural change across the male-dominated industries key to A Future Made in Australia - Workforce and Trade Partnerships for Renewable Superpower Industries. This will increase women’s access to skilled and well-paid careers and help address critical skills shortages across the economy;

•    Apprentices training in priority areas will be eligible for an additional $2,000 ($5,000 in total) to assist them to undertake and complete their training;

•    Employers taking on apprentices in priority areas will be eligible for an additional $1,000 ($5,000 in total) to help subsidise costs associated with employing an apprentice;

•    Investing $27.7 million over four years to improve tertiary collaboration and lay the foundation for broader tertiary education reforms. This includes reforms to improve the student experience and provide better credit recognition between VET and higher education and exploring ways to improve regulatory approaches for dual sector providers (including TAFEs) between the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). ASQA will scope and pilot delegating its course accreditation function to identified TAFEs in VET and TEQSA will facilitate applications from TAFEs to self-accredit certain courses of study in higher education.

ENDS