Solar Victoria expands free training for electricians

The program provides free training for electricians and fourth year electrical apprentices to become accredited designers and installers of solar PV and battery storage systems.

Commencing in May 2024, the Upskilling for Electricians program will provide up to 400 electricians and fourth-year apprentices with fully subsidised training, ensuring a highly skilled and quality-committed industry to meet growing consumer demand.

Upskilling for Electricians is open to Victorian A-grade electricians and fourth-year electrical apprentices working for businesses registered with the Solar Homes Program.

Since the Upskilling for Electricians program first commenced in March 2022, 767 electricians have completed the training free of charge. After finishing the training, electricians can complete the requirements to become an accredited installer, joining over 1,000 installers participating in the Solar Homes program.

The latest round will help more electricians and fourth year electrical apprentices access the free training. The training will be offered throughout Victoria in a blended format, involving e-learning and face-to-face, depending on the training provider.

Eligible electricians and apprentices can complete training in metropolitan Melbourne either with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Holmesglen Institute of TAFE, or through the Solar Training Centre and in regional locations at TAFE Gippsland, South West TAFE, or Wodonga Institute of TAFE.

Upskilling for Electricians is an important part of Solar Victoria’s $11 million Training and Workforce Development program, which also includes training for plumbers to gain the skills needed to install hot water heat pump and solar hot water systems, and technical mentoring and support for electricians and licensed electrical inspectors.

To grow Victoria's highly skilled clean energy workforce, electricians are encouraged to apply for installer and/or designer accreditation through Solar Accreditation Australia, which will allow them to be eligible to become authorised installers under Solar Victoria’s Solar Homes Program.

For further information, please visit solar.vic.gov.au/upskilling-electricians.

Quotes attributable to Solar Victoria CEO, Stan Krpan:

“Solar Victoria is committed to training our electrical workforce with the specialised skills they need to play an important role in Victoria’s growing renewable energy sector. This is an excellent opportunity for electricians and apprentices to upskill for free and I encourage all who are eligible to enrol early because places are limited. We are especially keen for women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who are significantly under-represented in the solar industry, to undertake this training.”