Workers looking for jobs in offshore wind can learn more about what opportunities are available, with new ‘offshore wind jobs’ guide released by Star of the South.
The guide features a sample of more than 50 jobs in the industry, what they involve, the qualifications, skills and training likely to be needed to get into the industry.
It also shares the stories of people who transitioned into offshore wind from other jobs including factory work, offshore oil and gas, mechanical engineering and administration.
The jobs guide was developed with advice from Energy Australia, Federation University, Offshore and Specialist Ships Australia, Skills and Job Centres, TAFE Gippsland and Victorian Trades Hall.
Star of the South chief development officer Erin Coldham said the guide was published in response to frequent questions around what job opportunities are available in offshore wind.
Ms Coldham said they looked at the typical sector jobs in offshore wind overseas and applied them to an Australian context.
“We wanted to provide concrete evidence of the opportunities and what training and skills and pathways are needed so the workforce can get ready for this new industry in Gippsland,” Ms Coldham said.
“There are lots of opportunities for existing coal and gas workers, there are similar skills sets. Several of my colleagues had worked in coal and gas and now work in offshore wind.”
Star of the South is expected to generate up to 2000 Victorian jobs in its 30-year life, including 760 construction jobs and 200 long-term Gippsland-based operation jobs.
The two gigawatt project is aiming to start construction in the middle of the decade and have its first turbine spinning in 2028, pending regulatory approvals.
Electrical Trades Union branch organiser and Star of the South advisory group member Peter Mooney was at the jobs guide launch backing offshore wind in Gippsland.
Mr Mooney said the sector would offer an opportunity for Latrobe Valley workers, but it should be backed up by local manufacturing opportunities to help to transition the region.
“We need local manufacturing to create jobs in the process, hopefully this will come through federal and state government working together to make a new industry in Australia,” Mr Mooney said.
“We want to see Gippsland people and businesses given opportunities, local content is a very big issue. But Star of the South has been upfront about procuring as much local content as possible.”
To view the jobs guide, visit starofthesouth.com.au.
