Clean energy apprentices delivering our renewable future

SUNDAY, 1 MARCH 2026

Apprenticeships in the clean energy sector are on the rise, with more than 17,000 apprentices choosing careers in new energy industries such as solar, automotive and smart technology over the past three years.

The apprentices form part of the Key Apprenticeship Program (KAP), which offers up to $10,000 in financial support to apprentices with payments at six, 12, 24 and 36 months, as well as at the end of the apprenticeship. The KAP consists of a housing construction apprenticeship stream and a new energy apprenticeship stream.

Importantly, the new energy stream of the program has seen a strong retention rate, with 85 per cent of apprentices remaining in their apprenticeship after the first year, signalling improved completion rates and delivering a major boost for Australia’s renewable workforce.

In the last six months of the program, more than a quarter of new energy commencements have occurred, representing significant growth in interest in clean energy apprenticeships as Australia continues its transition to renewable energy.

The New Energy Apprenticeship (NEA) stream of the KAP is designed to encourage apprentices to choose clean energy careers, improve retention rates and deliver more successful completions.

Attracting apprentices to the clean energy sector will help create a workforce for the future, with training focused on the use of smart technology such as artificial intelligence, big data, and smart grids to optimise solar and wind integration, manage demand, improve grid efficiency, and enable consumer control.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:

“The Albanese Government is backing in apprentices working in clean energy industries – supporting them through their apprenticeship and into great jobs that Australia needs now and for the future.

“An apprenticeship in the clean energy sector provides a fantastic entry into a growing part of the economy for young Australians. By providing incentives to both apprentices and their employers, we are helping to tackle skills shortages in areas where demand for workers with the right skills are growing.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen:

“To deliver Australia’s clean energy future we need to keep building our skilled workforce. This includes more electricians for our energy grid, more automotive workers to build and maintain EVs, and more plumbers for energy efficient water systems.”

“Unlike the Liberals and Nationals, who still have climate deniers in their ranks, the Albanese Government not only believes in climate change, we’re taking the action we need to and ensuring we have the workforce to achieve our renewable ambitions.”

FAST FACTS

The new energy sector is attracting young Australians, with 43 per cent (7,538) of apprenticeship commencements over the life of the program coming from people under the age of 19.

The program has proven particularly popular in Queensland, with the sunshine state having the highest share of new clean energy apprentices accounting for 29.6 per cent (5,114), followed by Victoria with 25 per cent (4,355).

Regional and remote communities are also benefitting, too, with nearly one-third of all commencements coming from these areas.

ENDS