Ballarat is seeking to lead the way in renewable energy with plans to develop a wind turbine technician TAFE course, the first of it’s kind in the country.
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Federation University, in discussion with the Committee for Ballarat, applied for funding under the state government’s Energy Jobs Fund to develop the new training facility.
Committee for Ballarat Chief Executive Officer Melanie Robertson said the training centre would provide opportunities for Victoria, Australia and the wider Asia Pacific Region.
Ballarat will be at the centre of wind energy development.
- Melanie Robertson, Committee for Ballarat CEO
“We are trying to match an industry need to market opportunity and it appears there is a need within the sector to provide training,” she said.
Ms Robertson said the Committee for Ballarat expect the result of the state government funding application to be announced by June.
“If the funding is granted we will have 12 months to undertake studies and the potential to apply for further funds,” she said.
“We are trying to leverage as much economic prosperity from the renewable energy industry that is coming into this region.
“We are committed to job creation and aligning skills with an industry need.”
Wind appears to be the way forward for energy in the region with the recent planning approval of Lal Lal Wind Farm and further large-scale local proposals for Rokewood, Moorabool and Stockyard Hill.
Federation University TAFE executive director Barry Wright said the possibility of a wind turbine technician course in currently in discussion stages.
“The University is looking into the feasibility of a possible course but more work has to be done,” he said.
