This page provides high level information and data on the Utilities industry which comprises four main industry sectors:
For more information on the ESI Generation, ESI Transmission, Distribution and Rail, Water and Gas sectors, their Industry Reference Committees, Skills Forecasts and Training Packages, follow the links to their respective sector pages.
Data and information on the occupations of Electricians and Plumbers (which make up a significant proportion of the utilities workforce), will be contained within the forthcoming Electrotechnology and Construction industry clusters.
All data sources are available at the end of the page.
ESI Transmission, Distribution and Rail is the largest employing sector in the Utilities industry followed by Water, then Gas and the smallest is ESI Generation. Similarly, the ESI Transmission, Distribution and Rail sector had the highest number of program enrolments during 2017 followed by Water, Gas and ESI Generation in the same order as employment level.
It is evident from the IRC Skills Forecasts that there are a number of challenges facing the Utilities industry and the sectors within it. Issues such as an aging workforce and competition for skilled workers are prevalent in some industry sectors, such as Gas. Other industry sectors, such as Water and Electricity Generation cite climate change, environmental factors and renewable energy as specific challenges for the skilling of their workforces. The increase of automation presents an additional challenge as it requires new skills of the workforce in appropriately handling new technologies.
The most prominent challenge facing the Utilities industry, identified by all industry sectors, is associated with changing technology. For example, the recent Independent Review Into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market highlights that there are significant implications for skilling as a result of emerging technologies and services. Furthermore, the speed of technological change can result in skill gaps in the industry if the current and future workforce is not adequately trained.
Below is a list of industry-relevant organisations and associations. Hyperlinks have been included where available.
Australian Industry Skills Committee
Australian Industry Standards Limited
ESI Generation Industry Reference Committee
ESI Transmission, Distribution and Rail Industry Reference Committee
Gas Industry Reference Committee
Water Industry Reference Committee
Australia New Zealand Industrial Gas Association
Australian Energy Market Commission
Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association
Australian Pipelines and Gas Association
Australian Pump Industry Association
Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association of Australia
Gas Technical Regulators Committee
Industry Skills Advisory Council NT
Queensland Water Directorate (qldwater)
The Australian Power Institute
Utilities and Electrotechnology Industry Training Advisory Board - NSW
Utilities, Engineering, Electrical and Automotive Training Council - WA
Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority
Water Industry Operators Association of Australia
Water Services Association of Australia
Australian Institute of Energy
University of South Australia, Barbara Hardy Institute – Sustainable Energy
University of Queensland Centre for Coal Seam Gas
University of Queensland – Energy Initiative
University of Western Australia – Centre for Energy
A changing electricity industry, a changing workforce: a discussion paper on the future skilling implications of the smart grid Energy Skills Queensland.
Electricity Network Transformation Roadmap: Final Report Energy Network Australia, CSIRO.
Electricity Network Transformation Roadmap: future workforce skilling impacts Energy Skills Queensland.
Electricity, Gas, Water & Waste Services [Industry profiles 2016] South Australian Training and Skills Commission.
Energy Industry Apprenticeship Progression Management System: final report including future sustainability strategies E-Oz Energy Skills Australia.
Environmental scan 2015: E-Oz Energy Skills Australia E-Oz Energy Skills Australia.
Queensland CSG to LNG Industry Workforce Plan 2014-2034 Energy Skills Queensland.
Quick clean energy jobs for Victoria Clean Energy Council (Australia).
Renewable energy jobs: future growth in Australia Climate Council.
Employment data has been extracted from the IRC Skill Forecasts:
Training data has been extracted from the National VET Provider Collection, Total VET students and courses, 2017 Program Enrolments by:
