Victoria provides free solar training

Electricians and electrical engineers wanting to gain specialist solar industry skills can now do so cost-free, with training fully funded by Solar Victoria.

Enrolments have opened for ‘Upskilling for electricians and electrical engineers’ training, to help boost solar PV and battery design and installation skills among electrical workers. This is one of a suite of new training initiatives in Solar Victoria’s boosted $11 million training and workforce development package, which is aimed at growing Victoria’s clean energy workforce.

Solar Victoria CEO Stan Krpan said, “Victoria’s solar and renewable energy sector is booming and is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade, as we transition to a clean energy future.

“Solar Victoria is committed to training our electrical workforce with the specialised skills they need to take advantage of this boom — and we are especially keen for women to do this training, given their current under-representation in the solar industry.”

To help accelerate the transition to a clean energy future, free training is open to all electricians and electrical engineers, not just those working for Solar Victoria-approved businesses. Any eligible solar professionals keen to develop the skills and knowledge to become a qualified solar photovoltaic (PV) designer and installer or a battery system designer and installer are encouraged to enrol.

This includes existing electricians wanting to upskill in solar, as well as electrical engineers keen to help meet the growing demand for renewables by learning how to design solar PV and battery systems. Eligible electrical apprentices are also encouraged to gain skills in solar though this training.

The free training is available from now until December 2022 and is currently provided through two registered training organisations (RTOs): Solar Training Centre and TAFE Gippsland. Additional RTOs will be announced, and grants opened again to RTOs in early May to enable tradespeople in other areas of Victoria to take part.

Participants can complete units for PV system design or install, or both, and can go on to complete the same for battery systems. The funded units of study are from 22453VIC Course in New Energy Technology Systems. If eligible, completing this training can also lead to Clean Energy Council accreditation.

“This is an excellent opportunity for electricians and apprentices to upskill for free and I encourage all who are eligible to enrol,” Krpan said.

For further information, visit solar.vic.gov.au/upskilling-electricians-engineers.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/APchanel