THE Hunter region played host to the NSW 2030 Renewable Workforce Roundtable, with discussions centering around the challenges faced in building the workforce needed for the state’s energy transition.

Stakeholders from dozens of organisations joined the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan and NSW Jobs Advocate Mark Apthorpe to discuss opportunities and strategies.

Participants included industry bodies, unions, educators and government agencies.

Key advice from the roundtable will contribute to the NSW 2030 Renewable Workforce Plan.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said the state’s energy transition offers the opportunity to create “thousands of good, local and secure jobs”.

“The NSW 2030 Renewable Workforce Roundtable brought together the brains and experience across the Hunter and beyond to help ensure the workforce plan for the Renewable Energy Zones will deliver skills, training and jobs across the state now and into the future.”

Yasmin Catley, the Minister for the Hunter, said ideas and opportunities discussed at the roundtable event would be applied throughout NSW as the energy sector grows.

“The Hunter is proud to host the NSW 2030 Renewable Workforce Roundtable, which will help deliver skills, training and jobs right across NSW.”

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan stated the event was an “opportunity for industry, education experts and government to collaborate and create pathways to jobs in the renewable energy sector”.

“I’m particularly interested to build on our efforts to deliver training and apprenticeships to people in regional areas, existing tradespeople and school leavers.”

The roundtable builds on the work underway by the NSW Jobs Advocate Mark Apthorpe.

Dr Apthorpe has delivered his initial report, making six recommendations to assist with the successful delivery of the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.