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Brighter futures: Energising the future regional workforce with Energy Queensland
TAFE Queensland and Energy Queensland have joined forces to address regional workforce shortages in Queensland’s energy sector – creating pathways for school students, apprentices and leaders to build skilled careers that power the state’s future.
Overview
- A landmark and award-winning school-based electrotechnology cadetship launched in 2024, grew from 18 cadets in the pilot to 380 applicants in 2025, with 50 cadets placed across 50 depots statewide.
- The partnership’s programs span from Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start) (UEE22020) to apprenticeships, traineeships to leadership diplomas, meeting critical demand for distribution linespersons, electrical fitter mechanics and upskilled future leaders.
- The partnership is strengthening regional communities, fostering local talent and ensuring a skilled energy workforce to support Queensland.
Energy Queensland
Energy Queensland is one of Australia’s largest electricity distribution companies, delivering power to more than five million Queenslanders via their retail services - Ergon Energy Network and Energex. As a major regional employer, Energy Queensland is committed to developing local talent pipelines to keep communities connected and energised.
Opportunity
Queensland’s energy industry faces a dual challenge: an ageing skilled workforce approaching retirement and increasing demand for technical expertise to support the state’s renewable-energy targets and regional growth.
For students in regional towns, career pathways into high-skilled energy roles were often limited by geography and access to training. At the same time, Energy Queensland needed to future-proof its workforce by attracting and retaining young talent locally while also upskilling existing employees in leadership and project-management capabilities.
Energy Queensland sought a trusted training partner capable of delivering nationally accredited programs that were regionally accessible, blended in delivery and tailored to energy-industry needs – from entry-level school programs through to senior leadership.
Solution
TAFE Queensland partnered with Energy Queensland to co-design a school-based electrotechnology cadetship that blends online theory, depot-based practical training and hands-on experience alongside qualified tradespeople. The cadetship prepares Year 11-12 students for careers as distribution linespersons and electrical fitter mechanics and puts them in a good position for local depot employment as an Energy Queensland apprentice.
This cadetship covers the Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start) (UEE22020) with 47 students currently enrolled.
TAFE Queensland is also currently delivering a suite of Certificate III-level apprenticeships to Energy Queensland employees (46 currently in training) across electrotechnology, electronics, and mechanical and fabrication trades, as well as a Certificate IV in Business traineeship (BSB40120).
To build capability among existing Energy Queensland leaders, TAFE Queensland developed a fully online Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB54020) and a Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB40920), offering an RPL and assessment-only qualification, and live online sessions respectively, to upskill and suit busy professionals across remote Queensland depots.
“We chose TAFE Queensland because they’re the leaders in delivering training that actually works in the real world. Their programs are practical, accessible and built around industry needs. They understand what it takes to prepare young people for technical careers, especially in regional areas, and they’ve helped us turn a good idea into a program that’s genuinely changing lives,” said Dan McGaw, Apprentice Program Development Coordinator, Energy Queensland.
The cadetship gave me real skills and confidence. Through TAFE Queensland, I learned the technical side of the trade and got hands-on experience at the Esk depot, working alongside qualified tradespeople. It made the transition into an apprenticeship feel natural. Getting offered a spot at the Gatton depot was a huge moment for me, it's the start of a career I'm proud to be building.
Results
The cadetship pilot launched in 2024 with 18 students proved highly successful – expanding in 2025 to 380 applicants with 50 cadets placed across 50 regional depots, creating a sustainable talent pipeline in communities where skilled workers are most needed.
“We created the cadetship program in 2023 to give rural, regional and remote students a clear pathway into a well-paid, highly skilled electrical apprenticeships. It’s done exactly that. High school students now understand what’s possible, and we’re seeing real interest from young people who might not have considered this career before. It’s helping us attract and retain local talent, which is critical for the future of our workforce,” Mr McGaw said.
Graduates of the electrotechnology and apprenticeship programs are progressing into high-demand technical roles that keep Queensland’s energy network strong. This cadetship partnership program also won the Queensland Training Awards ‘Premier’s Industry Collaboration Award’ in 2025.
Meanwhile, leadership cohorts have embraced the flexible online Diploma delivery, with 160 leaders enrolled in 2024 (54 per cent completion) and 85 leaders enrolled to date in 2025, demonstrating strong, ongoing demand for accredited professional-development training.
By investing in local skills development with TAFE Queensland as a strategic training partner, Energy Queensland is future-proofing its workforce, strengthening regional economies and improving career accessibility.
"Online delivery isn’t always the easiest option for everyone, but it gives school leavers in regional areas the same opportunities as those in urban centres, and that’s exceptional. We’re teaching to the highest standard, covering the ins and outs of the broader trade, while integrating power distribution and hands-on work experience. It’s an opportunity many may not have considered, and it has real potential to connect local people with local jobs," said Luke Pickering, Electrotechnology Educator, TAFE Queensland.
Future plans
Both organisations intend to scale the cadetship to additional schools and depots, increase Certificate II intake numbers and expand leadership development programs to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled workers.
Together, TAFE Queensland and Energy Queensland are exploring opportunities to align training with the state’s renewable-energy infrastructure projects, ensuring Queensland’s energy workforce is ready for the transition to a low-carbon future.