The state government has progressed its plans to establish a hydrogen and clean energy workforce training centre in the Pilbara, after awarding a design contract to Aurecon.
The state government has progressed its plans to establish a hydrogen and clean energy workforce training centre in the Pilbara, after awarding a design contract to Aurecon.
The Perth-based engineering consultant was tapped for the $439,000 worth of work to define and scope establishing the centre, dubbed the Clean Energy Training and Research Institute (CETRI).
The institute could be built acorss multiple Pilbara towns, with the details of the locations, education and research service providers, operational arrangements and price tag to be investigated by Aurecon under the recently awarded contract.
The aim of the job-focused institute is to build skills and knowledge in hydrogen, ammonia, renewable energy, and critical minerals technologies and applications.
It would aim to support the industries and bolster employment opportunities through the varying levels of education pathways.
CETRI is part of the larger state and federal government-funded $140 million Pilbara hydrogen hub, which includes plans for a hydrogen pipeline between the Maitland and Burrup strategic industrial areas and upgrades to other key infrastructure.
Infrastructure upgrades would aid the likes of Yara Pilbara and Perdaman operating in the region, where several renewable energy proposals have been pitched.
Regional Development Minister Don Punch said the Pilbara region was well positioned to be a global leader in clean energy generation, processing and export.
"The CETRI will play a crucial role in realising that ambition and will train a local workforce to deliver some $90 billion worth of clean energy projects currently in the pipeline for delivery in the region over the next decade,” he said.
“I congratulate Aurecon on their selection as the consultant to undertake the CETRI design and I look forward to this important project progressing over the course of the design over the next eight months.”
Once built, CETRI is expected to work with the announced $70 million Clean Energy Skills Centre of Excellence, both aiming to develop skilled workforces for the energy transition.
“The two programs will complement one another, with the CESNCE having a strong focus on the TAFE network, expanding access to clean energy skills training opportunities at TAFE campuses in metropolitan Perth and in regional areas including the Pilbara,” Mr Punch said.
“The CETRI will complement Pilbara based activations in the TAFE network, while drawing in school based education, universities and dedicated research bodies, to provide a bespoke solution for the unique operating environment in the Pilbara.”
