Australia needs more EV chargers, but first it needs more workers trained to install them.
Kangan Institute is helping tackle the growing skills gap with a new initiative to upskill licensed electricians and TAFE teachers in the installation, commissioning and maintenance of direct current fast chargers.
With no accredited Australian training available for installation of high-capacity DC EV chargers, the pilot program will help address a major gap in national training options from Kangan Institute’s new clean energy lab in Broadmeadows.
The pilot brings industry and TAFE together to test practical training in DC electric vehicle (EV) charger installation, a skill Australia will increasingly need as its charging infrastructure network expands.
If successful, the program could be scaled to train more electricians and TAFE teachers across the vocational education network, helping to meet skilled workforce demands.
The need is urgent
Industry data shows that Australia is facing a critical shortage of skilled electricians, particularly in renewable energy – a problem that has persisted for over a decade and expected to worsen given projected demand.
With limited opportunities currently available for electricians to gain these specialist skills, building workforce capability is important to support Australia’s growing demand for EV charging infrastructure, at a time when Victoria is working towards a target 50 per cent of all new light vehicle sales to be zero-emission vehicles by 2030.
A co-designed initiative reflecting industry demand
The pilot has been co-designed with industry partners Jet Charge and T-Power to reflect real-world workforce needs in the rollout of charging infrastructure across freight, logistics, public transport and commercial sectors.
Training focuses on:
· Installing, commissioning and maintaining DC chargers exceeding 22kW
· Helping build training capability across the vocational education sector
· Using the latest EV charging station technology and testing equipment, helping participants build skills that meet emerging industry needs
The initiative is part of a broader Victorian Skills Authority-supported project being led by Kangan Institute and South-West TAFE on behalf of Victoria's TAFE network to explore solutions to emerging workforce needs in EV charging infrastructure. eWorks supported the initiative through co-design facilitation and the development of learning resources.
Insights from the pilot will contribute to ongoing workforce development solutions for the EV charging sector.
Quote attributable to Kangan Institute CEO Laura Macpherson
“One of the most important things we do at Kangan Institute is ensure skilled workers have access to the training they need as industries evolve.
“As Australia expands its EV charging network, electricians will need new specialist skills to install and maintain this technology safely and confidently.
“This pilot brings industry and TAFE together to test practical training, that could help workers, teachers and employers prepare for the opportunities ahead.”
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