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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 563 asked in the Legislative Assembly on 18 October 2022 by Mr R.S. Love

Question Directed to the: Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Education and Training
Parliament: 41 Session: 1


Question

I refer to the Hydrogen Industry and training programs for skilled workers in relation to the hydrogen sector, and ask:
(a) How many approved and accredited training courses are on offer in WA specifically in relation to the Hydrogen industry;
(b) How many apprentices or trainees have signed up to these programs;
(c) Has the Minister requested development of regulations, legislation and training standards for the Hydrogen industry:
(i) If yes, which department, agency or entity is responsible for developing these important legal documents;
(ii) How much work has progressed; and
(iii) What is the timeline for the introduction of each regulation, legislation or training standard;
(d) Who has the Minister directly engaged with in relation to ensuring a strong workforce is ready to go for this future industry; and
(e) Has the Minister engaged with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the TAFE network is prepared for upskilling skilled workers in the construction and mining sectors, in preparation of creating a strong local hydrogen sector workforce before projects start?

Answered on 22 November 2022

(a)   The 2021 UEG Gas Industry Training Package includes five units of competency that relate to working with hydrogen. 

Three training package qualifications include hydrogen units of competency:

·         UEG20121 Certificate II in Gas Supply Industry Operations has an elective unit with a focus on  handling Hydrogen;  

·         UEG30121 Certificate III in Gas Supply Industry Operations has 5 elective units with a focus on  working with Hydrogen; and

·         UEG40221 Certificate IV in Gas Supply Industry Operations has 2 elective units with a focus on Hydrogen.

 

There are three skill sets included in the UEG Gas Industry Training Package:

·      Basic Hydrogen Safety Skill Set

·      Inject Hydrogen into Distribution Networks Skill Set

·      Monitor Hydrogen using Control Systems Skill Set

 

(b)   There are eight apprentices in training in the UEG30121 Certificate III in Gas Supply Industry Operations.

 

(c)   The Minister for Education and Training does not have responsibility for regulations and legislation for the Hydrogen industry.

 

Training standards are set at a national level through Training Packages that include qualifications and occupational skill standards.  They are developed through industry reference committees set up by the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

 

(i)– (iii) Not Applicable

 

(d)   The McGowan Government committed to develop a renewable hydrogen industry in the WA Jobs Plan. The Department of Training and Workforce Development is supporting the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation to develop a workforce for the hydrogen industry.

 

(e)   The McGowan Government is delivering a strong TAFE network around the State, in consultation with industry stakeholders, including:

·      $320.5 million investment to keep training fees low;

·      $215.8 million investment in TAFE infrastructure projects to deliver high quality training facilities at TAFE college campuses and Muresk Institute;

·      $25 million to provide new equipment to provide students, apprentices and trainees with access to tools and technology they will encounter in a modern workplace;

·      $11.3 million for TAFE lecturers to return to industry to deliver training to current industry standards.

 

More Western Australians are receiving on-the-job skills needed by local industry than ever before, with a record 47,700 apprentices and trainees in training in June 2022 and almost 4,500 training contract registrations in the month of July 2022.

 

Both apprenticeship and traineeship and classroom-based enrolments remain at historically high levels.

 

The State Government has approved development of a business case to establish a Pilbara-based Clean Energy Training and Research Institute, which will consider training infrastructure and an industry-led approach to skills development to support the State’s hydrogen industry.