Image: Essential Energy
Electricity distributor Essential Energy has received a waiver from the Australian Energy Regulator to launch a dedicated training academy across regional New South Wales to address the growing shortage of skilled workers needed for Australia’s energy transition.
Once fully operational, the training academy will provide accredited courses to anyone looking to work in the energy transition and will be able to train up to 1,000 people a year at a range of regionally-based hubs.
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With Essential Energy being one of Australia’s largest electricity distribution networks covering 95% of NSW, the training academy is an important step toward providing the skills needed for the energy transition, according to general manager future skills and capability Sarah McCullough.
“The training academy will create opportunities for people living in or looking to move to regional NSW communities, regardless of experience, gender or background, to build rewarding careers in the energy sector,” McCullough says.
“Delivering hands-on, industry-led training in regional hubs is part of our commitment to enabling the energy transition. It also helps to close the skills gap while supporting our communities to seize new opportunities as the energy landscape evolves.”
Essential Energy is already recognised as an award-winning Registered Training Organisation, trains more than 500 apprentices and trainees a year and has an existing limited waiver for to provide electrical safety training to the community.
The Essential Energy Training Academy is also committed to increasing participation by women, First Nations people, and mature-aged students and intends to partner with industry and community organisations to find ways of providing scholarships and funding opportunities so the academy can achieve these aims.
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The academy will launch with new courses in July 2026 at its Orange education hub. The full curriculum is expected to be on offer from July 2027 when the training academy’s purpose-built, state-of-the-art training facility is opened in Tamworth.
Under the AER waiver, Essential Energy will fund the operation of the training academy through corporate borrowings and sponsorships, without any impact on electricity customer bills.
