The Allan Labor Government is growing Victoria's renewable energy workforce with a new round of free training for plumbers and fourth-year apprentices to design and install energy-efficient heat pump hot water systems.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D'Ambrosio is calling on more plumbers and apprentices to take advantage of fully funded Upskilling for Plumbers training, with opportunities available in September and October.
The training will equip 800 licensed and registered plumbers and fourth-year apprentices with the skills needed to design and install energy efficient hot water heat pumps while supporting industry to meet new 7-star energy efficiency building standards.
The half-day training will be delivered by the Plumbing Industry Centre for Climate Action on the 29 October in Narre Warren, in Brunswick 7 and 15 October, and in Geelong on 31 October. Training is available until May 2025, including in Bendigo and Gippsland with dates to be announced.
Over 110 plumbers and apprentices have completed the training since July 2024 alone, indicating increasing demand among households for heat pump hot water systems.
Water heating is a major source of household energy use in Australia, accounting for around 23 per cent total energy use in the home. Households replacing a gas hot water system with a quality heat pump hot water system can save up to $250 per year, on top of additional savings in going all-electric.
The Upskilling for Plumbers training supports the Victorian Government's climate action ambitions, by reducing carbon emissions, phasing out natural gas connections, and transitioning to home electrification.
The energy transition, and delivering 95 per cent renewable electricity by 2035, will create 59,000 jobs in Victoria.
This training will also help plumbers understand the various incentives available through the Solar Homes and Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) programs and the Commonwealth Government so they can provide advice to customers looking to upgrade their appliances and reduce emissions.
The Solar Homes and VEU programs offer eligible households rebates and incentives to install energy-saving hot water systems. Since 2018, the Solar Homes program has installed over 40,000 energy-efficient hot water systems across Victoria, with installations increasing by more than 500 per cent during the past financial year.
For more information, visit solar.vic.gov.au/upskilling-plumbers.
As stated by Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D'Ambrosio
"As demand for energy-efficient hot water system continues to grow, it is imperative that we continue to upskill our workforce to support the growth in the renewable and clean energy sector."
As stated by Minister for Skills and Tafe Gayle Tierney
"The Upskilling for Plumbers program will help more train plumbers to have the needed skills to electrify Victorian homes which will help save on energy bills and tackle climate change with energy-efficient hot water systems."
