The NSW Government has today unveiled the design of NSW’s first Hydrogen Centre of Excellence, that will train thousands of plumbers and gas fitters and ensure NSW has a pipeline of multi-skilled workers for the hydrogen industry.

Plumbers and gas fitters are some of the key jobs that will need new skills and training to support the shift to renewable energy. Additionally, there is a shortage of plumbers in NSW and across Australia.

The $25 million investment will deliver a practical training centre capable of training and upskilling 8250 plumbers and gas fitters in its first five years of operation.

The centre, an election commitment by the NSW Government, will be built in partnership with the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC), boosting the numbers of plumbers and preparing them to work with emerging technologies.

The new designs show spacious workshops and classrooms where apprentices will receive hands-on training on hydrogen equipment, such as electrolysers, gas fitting techniques and safety protocols.

This will be on top of the traditional skills learned by plumbers.

Construction of the centre will employ more than 100 apprentices and create 500 construction jobs, supporting jobs in western Sydney.

Owned and operated by PICAC, the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence will be co-located at its existing Glenwood training site and is expected to be operational by 2027. Once complete, the facility will employ approximately 50 staff.

PICAC is a proven provider of education for plumbers that represents a collaboration between industry and trade union partners.

The investment increases the capacity of PICAC to continue to deliver high quality training within industry, boosts NSW’s pipeline of work-ready plumbers, and delivers additional skills, harnessing new opportunities presented by the transition to renewable energy technologies.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

"The renewable energy transition is an important opportunity for NSW, creating thousands of local, secure jobs and attracting investment to the state.

“We are delivering on a key election promise to build a centre for the next generation of plumbers, equipping them with the skills they need to work with renewable energy technologies.”

Minister for Energy and Environment Penny Sharpe:

“This facility is crucial to ensuring the workers the renewable energy industry needs have the skills required to accelerate NSW’s shift towards clean technologies and net zero.”

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:

“This initiative will be critical in ensuring current and future apprentices and those already in the industry receive the high-quality training they will need to meet future industry demands.

“It also highlights the importance of government, industry and unions collaborating to build and develop the skilled workforce that will deliver the state’s economic growth and sustainability goals.”

Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre Chief Executive Shayne La Combre said:

"This world-leading project showcases the power of industry collaboration in equipping apprentices with essential skills for current and future job markets.

“The expertise of our energy sector professionals has never been more vital to the economic future of NSW and Australia.

“The Hydrogen Centre of Excellence at PICAC Glenwood will provide top-tier training for apprentices and workers in the plumbing and fire protection industry, preparing them for opportunities in new and emerging fields such as hydrogen.”