Secondary students to help build a pipeline of future workers for Queensland’s hydrogen industry

Good hydrogen jobs are in the pipeline for Queensland state school students, thanks to an exciting new partnership between the Palaszczuk Government and Energy Skills Queensland. 

The Premier today announced the successful Gateway to Industry Schools Program (GISP), would be expanded to include a new hydrogen focussed program, which links students up with local industries to help them explore career opportunities in the sector.

“We know a strong, skilled workforce will be needed to support the clean energy economy and the roll out of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, including the exciting opportunities in the hydrogen sector,” the Premier said

"And we know, many of our future hydrogen industry workers are currently in our schools thinking about their future careers.

“That’s why we are partnering with ESQ to bring these opportunities into the classroom and allow students to have hands on experience and see if the hydrogen industry is right for them.”

Education Minister and Acting Minister for Training and Skills Development Grace Grace said the Hydrogen Gateway to Industry Schools Project will be delivered in at least 30 Queensland schools, engaging more than 2000 students over the next three years.

“I’m proud of the fantastic opportunities we are providing to our students right across Queensland, and we’re making sure they can explore what lies ahead in the world of work and further training while still at school,” Ms Grace said.

“Many of the future hydrogen workers are in our schools now and through this new GISP project ESQ can promote the hydrogen industry as a career of choice for students.

“The Hydrogen Gateway to Industry Schools project will be the 11^th in the successful program, which helps attract students to our key industries.”

ESQ is an independent, not-for-profit organisation providing innovative solutions to help build a skilled and safe energy industry.

Energy, Renewables and Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said Queensland’s clean energy transformation was the state’s greatest jobs opportunity in a generation.

“The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan is expected to deliver 100,000 jobs additional jobs in Queensland and our independent modelling confirms our $12 billion hydrogen opportunity could create 10,000 of those,” Minister de Brenni said.

“From our East Coast Hydrogen Superhighway and hydrogen training facilities to electrolyser manufacturing and export capabilities, we’re cementing Queensland’s position as a global green hydrogen leader.

“It’s through hydrogen initiatives like this program that are setting Queensland’s home-grown future workforce up to power the world’s economy,” he said.

The Palaszczuk Government is ensuring our students have access to state-of-the-art technology with an investment of over $50 million in hydrogen and renewable energy training infrastructure.

The new projects include:

1. $20 million for Stage 2 upgrades to the industry-led Queensland Apprenticeships Centre at Beenleigh;
2. $17 million towards a $23 million Renewable Energy Training Facility at Pinkenba;
3. $10.6 million for a hydrogen and renewable energy training facility at the Bohle Trade Training TAFE in Townsville;
4. $2 million to upgrade facilities at Gladstone State High School to prepare students for jobs in the hydrogen industry; and
5. $4 million for an energy training and skills strategy under the $15 million VET Emerging Industries initiative, consisting of an electric vehicle skills fund, hydrogen skills fund and TAFE renewable energy strategy.

GISP information can be found at: https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/employers/gateway-schools

ENDS

Media contact:

Zoe Russell -0439 982 347