Apprenticeships & Traineeships - Everything You Need To Know | Sarina Russo

Clean energy is sometimes referred to as ‘green’, ‘new’ or ‘renewable’ energy. It comes from natural resources that are constantly replaced and never run out. There are many clean energy sources and technologies such as:

• solar
• wind
• hydroelectricity
• hydrogen
• geothermal and bioenergy

The clean energy sector includes activities involved in:

• designing, developing, constructing and operating the infrastructure for generating, storing, transmitting and distributing energy from renewable, zero or low emissions energy sources. In addition to renewable electricity, zero and low-emission energy sources include low carbon liquid fuels such as hydrogen and biomethane. 
  • For example: hydroelectricity, rooftop solar, large-scale solar, wind turbines, home and grid scale batteries as well as transmission and distribution infrastructure. 
• reducing or managing energy use. This may include increasing residential, commercial and industrial energy efficiency. Energy-efficient homes and buildings use less energy to heat, cool, and run appliances and electronics. Energy-efficient manufacturing facilities use less energy to produce goods. 
  • For example: installing insulation, glazing and more efficient appliances and machinery including heating and cooling as well as measuring and assessing energy efficiency. 
• installing and maintaining the technology that uses clean energy rather than fossil fuels. This may include the electrification of machines, equipment, processes and vehicles.
  • For example: Replacing or altering heavy machinery and equipment (such as an
    industrial furnace) to use electricity rather than coal/gas. Replacing gas heating and cooking equipment in homes and businesses. Deploying and maintaining zero or low emissions vehicles and supporting infrastructure, including chargers.

The Australian Government has introduced a range of supports for apprentices in the Clean Energy sector, including the introduction of the New Energy Apprentice Support Payment through the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System and the New Energy Apprenticeships Mentoring Program.

What are examples of eligible sectors and types of renewable energy?

Eligible sectors include but are not limited to:

• electrical vehicle maintenance and repair
• rooftop solar installation and maintenance
• large-scale renewable projects
• green hydrogen and renewable manufacturing
• relevant agricultural activities

Types of Renewable Energy include:

• • Solar power
  • Bioenergy
  • Wind power
  • Hydro power
  • Battery storage
  • Geothermal energy
  • Smart technology
  • Ocean energy
  • Grid strengthening technologies

For more information on what is a Clean Energy Occupation, refer to the Priority List.

The supports and incentives available to New Energy Apprentices will ensure more apprentices and trainees are able to skill-up in sectors with exposure to Clean Energy, and will increase the skilled workforce required to deliver Australia’s Clean Energy infrastructure now and into the future.