One of Australia’s largest mining companies has partnered with TAFE to address a critical shortage of electricians that threatens to slow the nation’s renewable energy transition.
Fortescue opened a purpose-built facility in Perth on Tuesday, in collaboration with two TAFE branches, to provide electrical, mechanical and emerging technology training.
The announcement comes amid growing demand for skilled electrical tradespeople, and forecasts Australia will need 32,000 more electricians by 2030 – 27 per cent more than expected — to service energy projects.
Perth’s Power Up Training Centre will host an electrical apprenticeship program by South Metropolitan TAFE and post-trade training in electric vehicles by North Metropolitan TAFE.
The mining giant will provide high-voltage battery equipment for apprentices, Fortescue chief executive Dino Otranto said, and had been planning the centre for two years.
