Queensland’s Energy Transition

About the Research Project

This research investigates the current state of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) workforce supply and demand in regional Queensland, identifying skills gaps, understanding barriers to BESS training enrolment and completion, and designing scalable, culturally appropriate BESS training solutions.  

This project will engage employers, training providers, local government, industry bodies, and First Nation communities to identify specific barriers for remote and First Nations learners and inform culturally appropriate training delivery. CQUniversity will design a pilot course, following guidance from consultations, in the form of online modules that incorporate culturally appropriate delivery methods for First Nations learners. The content will include high-voltage battery safety, recycling, and VR-based remote diagnostics. The pilot will be evaluated via pre and post competence tests, completion rates, and qualitative feedback, benchmarking against existing courses.  

Impact

• The study will forecast workforce demand, map training options and consult with training providers, employers, industry groups, and First Nations councils in regional North and Central Queensland. 
• Economic modelling and secondary data will be used to forecast five-year demand scenarios (low, medium, and high growth scenarios) for BESS workforce requirements across installation, grid integration, operation, maintenance, recycling, and decommissioning are modelled and documented. 
• A small-scale pilot course on battery safety and recycling will be developed and tested using virtual delivery models suited to regional learners.

Partners

• TAFE Queensland
• REA Global 
• Zenaji