Bridging the skills gap: How Stanwell is creating future pathways for energy workers 

As a new report highlights the urgent need for skilled workers in the renewable energy sector, Queensland’s largest power generator is creating pathways to equip workers with skills that will be in demand for years to come.   

 The Electricity Sector Workforce Projections for the 2024 Integrated System Plan report has raised concerns about the looming shortage of skilled workers needed to drive the clean energy transformation. The report from the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), in collaboration with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), highlights the urgent need for more skilled workers in the electricity sector.  

 Jobs in the sector are expected to double by 2029, with renewable energy – particularly wind, solar, and battery storage – leading the charge. According to the report, operations and maintenance roles are expected to make up 65 per cent of the electricity sector workforce by 2033. 

However, the report also found that the renewable energy industry invests very little in skills development and training. This lack of investment is further complicated by the regional nature of many renewable energy projects, which will compete with major infrastructure projects in urban areas for labour.  

In the face of these challenges, Queensland’s leading power generator, Stanwell Corporation, is playing a proactive role in preparing the state’s workforce for the energy transition. Stanwell has a specialist team dedicated to developing future pathways for its people to ensure they realise opportunities from the energy transformation. It is also establishing a Future Energy Training and Innovation Hub that will specialise in delivering a real-world training environment in renewables for Queensland energy workers. And through its recently established subsidiary, Stanwell Asset Maintenance Company (SAMCo), Stanwell is creating future pathways for technically-skilled energy workers in Queensland’s regions, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in the clean energy sector.  

Launched in 2023, SAMCo builds on Stanwell’s decades of experience as one of the most reliable and efficient operators in the National Electricity Market (NEM). With a strong track record in maintaining complex energy assets, Stanwell’s expertise in safety, reliability, and performance is now being applied to  asset maintenance within the renewable energy sector through SAMCo. 

SAMCo is partnering with asset owners, original equipment manufacturers and engineering procurement construction companies across Australia to provide operations and maintenance services and asset management for all forms of renewable energy assets.  

 “We know what asset owners need because we’ve been in their shoes,” says Steve Clark, Stanwell’s General Manager Renewable Maintenance Services. “We act like an owner, representing our clients’ interests to ensure their investment delivers expected returns.” 

 With established systems, skilled personnel, and deep expertise in renewable energy technologies, SAMCo is quickly becoming Queensland’s go-to partner for renewable energy maintenance. 

 A key initiative driving SAMCo’s success is the Development Pathways Program, which is providing Queensland’s energy workers with hands-on experience operating and maintaining renewable assets owned by host companies on the eastern seaboard of Australia.  

 Participants in the Development Pathways Program come from Stanwell’s thermal power stations – the Stanwell Power Station near Rockhampton in Central Queensland, and Tarong power stations near Nanango in the South Burnett Region – or from local private industry, and have either mechanical or electrical trade skills. 

 Participants are scheduled onto rosters and have the opportunity to work on a variety of renewable energy sites while receiving competitive salaries and travel allowances. Stanwell provides participants with training in areas such as large-scale solar operations and maintenance, wind safety and rescue, thermography, and more.  

For workers like Ivor Ralph, the Development Pathways Program has been a gateway to the clean energy industry. Ivor, a mechanical fitter and machinist who began his career with Stanwell in 2019, joined the program to broaden his skills and gain experience with renewable technologies. 

 “I saw it as a way to get a taste of the renewable energy industry,” says Ivor. “After all, most of Queensland’s energy will come from renewables by 2035. It won’t be long until renewable energy is just… energy.” 

Throughout the program, Ivor worked on wind and solar projects across Australia, gaining valuable experience in inspecting, troubleshooting, and repairing renewable energy assets. After 18 months, he transitioned to a permanent role as a Travelling Service Technician with SAMCo, a position that now takes him to a variety of wind, solar, and battery sites  around the State. 

 “It’s about providing future pathways and opportunities for those who want to start building their capabilities now,” says Steve Clark. “The Development Pathways Program aligns with the Queensland Energy Workers’ Charter and the Job Security Guarantee, ensuring a secure future for our energy workforce.” 

 For host companies, the Development Pathways Program offers the benefit of experienced labour at a fraction of the cost of subcontractors, while supporting the development of a skilled workforce crucial to Australia’s energy transition. 

 Stanwell’s commitment to workforce development doesn’t stop with SAMCo. The company is also building the Future Energy Innovation and Training Hub (FEITH), a state-of-the-art facility at the Stanwell Power Station in Central Queensland. Due for completion by the end of 2025, the hub will provide hands-on training with emerging clean energy technologies, including wind, solar, hydrogen, and battery storage. 

 FEITH will serve as a pilot and testing facility for new energy technologies, while also offering a real-world training environment for Queensland energy workers. Stanwell has also partnered with CQUniversity to collaborate on skills, training and technology initiatives.  

Stanwell is working closely with its people, delivering on its commitments under the Queensland Energy Workers’ Charter. 

Stanwell’s Future Pathways team is identifying the skills Stanwell has in its workforce and the skills that will be required as it increases its renewable energy production; and to develop career pathways and opportunities for its people in Queensland’s renewable energy future. 

As the energy transition accelerates, the need for skilled workers has never been more pressing. Through initiatives like its Future Pathways, SAMCo and FEITH, Stanwell is ensuring that its workforce is equipped to seize the opportunities presented by the clean energy transformation, and to provide the spark for a bright future.