Joachim Schalck, Suzlon Energy Australia’s General Manager of Operations, Maintenance and Service says that the specialised skills shortage is mostly due to the lack of Australian wind turbine technician qualifications and a dedicated training system support.

“Because there is very limited training infrastructure that delivers the specific expertise and skills needed in the industry, the costs associated with training are very significant compared to industry standards. We need to prioritise finding a solution to this problem,” says Mr Schalck.

Suzlon is working with governments, industry skills councils, TAFEs and training providers to build a sufficient skills base so that wind turbines needed to help meet the Renewable Energy Target can be installed and maintained.

In its early days, the Australian wind industry relied on flying in experienced overseas technicians to build new farms. Because the industry has always been focused on training local people to service and maintain the turbines once installed, skilling up local technicians has had to be undertaken by trainers sourced at significant expense from overseas markets.

Other important courses that need to be provided include the mandatory heights safety and rescue training. This is specialised training that requires highly skilled, expensive trainers working with small groups.

Suzlon, which has wind farm projects built in three Australian states, is actively engaged in developing a skilled wind industry workforce in Australia. The company has invested approximately 70–80 per cent of its training budget on the regionally based workforce over the past three years.

Suzlon has the first wind industry apprentices in Australia, with ten young men completing electrotechnology apprenticeships and experiencing wind farm work. Recognising that these apprentices are not being formally trained as wind technicians, Suzlon has been working with the national Electrotechnology Skills Council EE-Oz Training Standards, to develop skill sets and qualifications especially for wind farm workers. Suzlon is pushing for the development of a qualification such as a Certificate IV or diploma for wind technicians in the National Electricity Generation Package, while also supporting Box Hill Tafe in Victoria in developing some basic training materials for people looking to enter the industry.

Recognising that national training systems do not currently suit industry needs, the South Australian Government recently supported a series of Suzlon’s training projects by providing a $200,000 grant under the Skills for Environmentally Sustainability Program, administered by the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology.

This enabled Suzlon to put large numbers of construction and maintenance staff through an extended height safety and safety training program. It also enabled Suzlon to develop and deliver a tailored turbine service technician training program.

Generous ongoing support for the industry in South Australia has also been available through the Construction Industry Training Board. As a consequence, South Australia is very well placed to be able to supply the specialised expertise that the industry needs.

“As Australia’s largest turnkey constructor and operator of wind farms, we know that it’s our skilled workforce, their expertise and dedication to their profession that give us our edge in this competitive market by enabling us to build wind farms on time and on budget,” Joachim Schalck explains.

“Largely these skilled technicians are based in regional areas and we want to ensure that their availability grows to meet the industry’s needs. As the wind industry is set to continue its expansion here and around the world, this training can also open up international opportunities.”

Well-developed training and qualification programs will be beneficial to Suzlon no doubt, but will also benefit the wider Australian wind energy industry.