Students at Wyndham Tech School will use new virtual reality technology and advanced tools to build skills for careers in the renewable energy sector.
More secondary school students are being given the opportunity to develop the skills needed for careers in the renewable energy sector.
Nine Victorian Tech Schools will receive over $2.1 million through the latest round of the Clean Energy Equipment Fund (CEEF).
Wyndham Tech School has been awarded $248,900 to purchase 30 sets of virtual reality headsets and accessories, associated software and hardware, two-way radios, and the Unreal Engine training platform. This equipment will be used to create a clear pathway for students from Year 7 to Year 12 into the renewable energy sector. As part of the initiative, students will build a virtual training platform to create an energy network that delivers safe, clean, and reliable energy through the Tech School’s Renewable Energy Academy.
CEEF enables schools to purchase high-quality, industry-standard equipment necessary to teach students about the renewable energy career pathways available across Victoria.
The CEEF supports programs designed to help students acquire the skills and knowledge required to contribute to Victoria’s transition to clean energy.
Through this program, Tech Schools collaborate with local secondary schools and industry partners to deliver immersive, practical, and career-focused STEM education, equipping students for success in areas such as renewable energy, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.
Tech Schools can use CEEF funding to purchase equipment such as wind and solar power units, wireless 3D laser scanners, virtual reality kits, energy storage systems, and state-of-the-art software and hardware.
This equipment can enhance existing programs like Gippsland Tech School’s ‘Renewable Future,’ which introduces students to solar and wind energy generation, or Casey Tech School’s ‘Discovering Energy,’ where students experiment to optimise renewable energy production and its application in vehicles and homes.
The CEEF also allows Tech Schools to deliver programs that spark students’ interest in renewable energy and prepare them with the skills needed for a range of jobs, including carbon sector specialists, electric vehicle repair technicians, battery design specialists, energy auditors, and energy efficiency engineers.
This initiative is part of a larger investment in the Victorian Budget 2023/24, which includes funding for six new Tech Schools in Brimbank, Dandenong, Frankston, Hume, Wangaratta, and Warrnambool.
Victoria is progressing towards its goal of achieving 95 per cent renewable energy generation across the state by 2035.
