The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has granted Essential Energy waiver 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 1000 people a year at a range of regionally-based hubs.
The Training Academy builds on Essential Energy’s reputation as an industry trainer of choice, offering a range of nationally recognised qualifications and micro-credentials, including certificates in renewable energy, electrotechnology, and distribution networks.
As Essential Energy is one of Australia’s largest electricity distribution networks (covering 95 per cent of New South Wales), Essential Energy General Manager Future Skills and Capability, Sarah McCullough, said the Training Academy is an important step toward providing the skills needed for the energy transition.
“The Training Academy will create opportunities for people living in or looking to move to regional New South Wales communities, regardless of experience, gender or background, to build rewarding careers in the energy sector,” she said.
“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.”
Australia’s energy sector is facing a significant workforce challenge, with national modelling showing at least 42,000 additional energy trades workers needed by 2030 and a shortfall of skilled workers of between 10,000 and 19,000 annually. The demand is especially acute in regional areas where renewable energy projects are being rolled out, which are in the heartland of Essential Energy’s distribution network.
Essential Energy has successfully applied for a ringfencing waiver from the AER to allow it to provide contestable training services, paving the way for the Essential Energy Training Academy.
The successful waiver application received 25 letters of support, all citing the need to increase skills training for the burgeoning energy sector in regional New South Wales.
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 to provide electrical safety training to the community.
“Essential Energy’s strong track record in training gives the Training Academy a solid foundation. Our goal is to enable the energy transition by equipping regional communities, central to the shift to renewables, with the skills they need,” Ms McCullough said.
“At the same time, the Training Academy will stimulate local economies and create lasting benefits. It’s a long-term investment in the future of New South Wales. We’re not just training workers for today’s jobs – we’re building a legacy that will benefit communities for generations.”
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.
The Training 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.
