3 minute read
The ACT Renewables Hub spotlights the CIT
Connecting industry, sharing knowledge, and building business opportunities through collaboration.
Advertisement
The ACT Renewables Hub is supporting the CIT’s ZeroCO2 Renewable Energy and Sustainability Collaboration Lab at CIT Bruce on Wednesday 3 November.
The event brings together industry and education and training providers to explore the future skill and training needs for the local and national renewable energy sector. For more information visit: www.cit.edu.au The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) which supports the renewable energy and sustainability workforce recently took up Gold Membership with the ACT Renewables Hub and the Smart Energy Council.
CIT’s membership of the Hub and the Smart Energy Council affirms its depth of investment in the sector, highlighted by its delivery of new training programs through the Renewable Energy Skills Centre of Excellence.
“The major aim of the Centre is to position the ACT and CIT as leaders in building a renewable energy workforce across the ACT Region, Australia and the Asia-Pacific,” said Ilsa Stuart, CIT’s Senior Manager, Renewables
“We curate and deliver a suite of renewable energy programs and work closely with industry and government to explore future possibilities.” Current courses include Solar Photo Voltaic & Small Battery Storage training for licenced electricians and apprentices; Grid Connect Photo Voltaic Systems for fully qualified electricians; Battery Storage Systems also for fully qualified electricians; and Global Wind Organisation training.
Courses are delivered at CIT’s $9.3 million Sustainable Skills Training Hub at the Bruce campus that was opened more than a decade ago and is described as a ‘pioneering purpose-built facility for hands-on green skills training’ in emerging renewable energy and sustainable technologies for both residential and commercial sectors.
“The CIT has also constructed a multipurpose sustainable house and training facility as an up-to-date residential home showcasing the latest building technologies including the very best of solar passive design and renewable energy systems,” Ilsa explained.
Collaboration is clearly key to success: donations from industry of the latest technology and equipment such as storage batteries allow CIT to optimise training sessions.
Close ties with Vestas, a world leader in the design, manufacture, installation and servicing of wind turbines, and Neoen, a leading independent producer of renewable energy in Australia and abroad, are among the more significant partnerships. A key pillar of the relationship with Vestas has been the development and delivery of one of Australia’s first Global Wind Organisationaccredited wind safety and technical training programs.
The broader community also benefits. In late 2018 Evoenergy (formerly ActewAGL) and the CIT joined forces to build a firstof-its-kind hydrogen test facility at CIT’s Fyshwick campus. The facility has been trialling the interaction of hydrogen with network materials, work practices and equipment.
The Centre also liaises with ACT Government to ensure the work of the Centre of Excellence is able to rapidly respond to demands as a result of new ACT Government policy and initiatives.
“Collectively the CIT and its partners have a passion for the renewables industry and sustainability. Together we can provide a unique platform to share the exciting opportunities associated with the renewables industry and our local community, schools and colleges,” Ilsa said.
“Likewise our involvement with the ACT Renewables Hub allows us to better connect with industry enabling us to be across different perspectives in the renewable energy sector and to foster greater collaboration with businesses.”
ACT Renewables Hub
For information about the range of resources available through the ACT Renewables Hub contact Manager Alethia Barceinas on 0452 414 070 or email alethia@smartenergy.org.au www.actrenewableshub.org.au
