Countries around the world are realising the importance of transitioning their energy systems to greener and more sustainable options. However, the rapid and large-scale adoption of renewable energy systems and decarbonisation of Australia’s export sector requires a significant increase in the workforce. Projected skilled worker shortages include engineers, installers, trade workers (construction workers, electricians, mechanical trades, plant operators), surveying technicians and transport operators. Overall, it is expected that up to two million workers in construction and engineering in Australia will be needed by 2050 in the run-up to net zero. Workers with skills relevant to the energy transition will be in global demand as the transition advances, meaning that attracting these workers to Australia will only become more difficult with time.
Informed by industry reports, and academic and organisational literature, this report investigates the present and future challenges of Australia’s capacity to adequately skill the scale and diversity of roles required for the energy transition. Current and emerging skills shortages have the potential to prevent Australia from reaching net zero by 2050. Though areas for workforce development have been identified, the rate of retiring workers, a lack of trade schools, a high dropout rate of electrical apprentices, a lack of available renewable energy electives and a shortage of educators to teach these electives mean that other sources of labour supply must be considered.
Immigration can serve as a mechanism to meet these workforce needs. However, given the international demand for energy transition talent, there is a need to investigate how Australia’s attraction and retention policies compare with those of other countries. Factors influencing worker attraction and retention span a broad range of considerations. They include the types of visas being offered, how straightforward the migration process is, whether the destination country has specialist programs for workers and is family-friendly, the quality of healthcare and education, and whether the country welcomes migrants and minorities. This research examines the migration policies of countries similar to Australia in terms of economic systems, social structures and political approaches, as well as those actively seeking to attract worked for the energy transition. From the analysis, It makes recommendations for accelerating Australia’s potential for attracting and retaining workers for the energy transition.
Please submit a form to read more.
Authors
- Emma D’Antoine, Curtin University
- Bishal Bharadwaj, Curtin University
- Julian Clifton, Curtin University
- Peta Ashworth, Curtin University
For a full copy of the report, please enter your details below.
Skilling Australia's Energy Transition Through Immigration - A Comparison of like Countries
If you want a summary of the report, it is available for download here.