Attending last week’s TAFE NSW Renewables Ready workshop are Tumut High Year 11 students Tristan Hughes and Alex McGrath. Photo: Supplied.
Tumut teenager Alex McGrath says a hands-on TAFE NSW workshop has strengthened his interest in becoming an electrician as renewable energy projects expand across the Riverina.
The 16-year-old Tumut High School Year 11 student attended the inaugural two-day Renewables Ready course at TAFE NSW Tumut last month alongside students from Tumut High School and McAuley Catholic College.
“I did work experience with Snowy Hydro as a fitter and turner but I have also been investigating other career options,” Alex said.
“The TAFE NSW course was so hands-on and engaging, and it was great to hear about how effective many different renewables are.
“We made a solar-powered fan and put different batteries in these little cars to test which one powered it the best.
“The big take-out for me was the many jobs the renewables industry would create and how much better it is for our future.”
The course covered solar, wind, hydro and battery power and included hands-on experiments for students.
TAFE NSW electrotechnology teacher Pete Woodlands, who delivered the course, said it gave students insight into an industry expected to play a growing role in the region.
“These young people will be at the forefront of the future renewables workforce, and for many of them, this was their first real insight into what that industry looks like,” Mr Woodlands said.
“Many students didn’t realise the scale of the industry in our own region, or just how many jobs will be created in the years ahead.”
The workshop comes as renewable energy projects continue to reshape parts of the Riverina, bringing promises of jobs and investment while also prompting concern from some residents about the use of prime agricultural land and how close developments are to homes.
The Riverina has seen significant renewable energy development, including wind farm construction in Jerilderie and Hay, major solar projects in Coleambally, Darlington Point, Hay and Deniliquin, and a proposal for the Bondo Wind Farm near Tumut.
While many projects have been embraced as an economic opportunity, others have generated debate and opposition within local communities.
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, up to 450,000 jobs are expected to be created in Australia’s clean energy construction sector by 2030.
Another Tumut High student, Tristan Hughes, was also inspired by the workshop and has since undertaken work experience as an electrician.
The program was coordinated through the Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) program, which connects employers with secondary schools to provide students with information about careers and employment pathways.
