Holmesglen Institute has incorporated its renewable energy supply infrastructure into the training undertaken by electrical supply overhead distribution and underground distribution/cable jointing apprentices.
About the initiative
In 2022, Holmesglen Institute installed photovoltaic panels to generate 330 kW of electricity at its Drummond Street campus. This electricity is used by the campus and the local community. The connection between the campus supply and the surrounding electrical network distribution infrastructure has been installed in a way that apprentices can observe and understand these connections.
The need for apprentices to have the opportunity to observe and understand electrical connections from generation sources greater than 100 kW was identified by the Electrical Linesworker Apprentice Committee. The committee comprises representatives of the providers who install and maintain electrical networks across Victoria. It meets quarterly with Holmesglen staff to advise on training needs, changes in electrical infrastructure and apprentice progress.
The electrical linesworker facility at the Drummond Street campus is a purpose-built training centre for distribution overhead and underground distribution/cable jointing apprentices. The campus is located adjacent to the Monash Freeway enabling apprentices from across the state to travel to a geographically centralised location for their training.
Outcomes and next steps
Demand for skills to install and maintain large-scale grid connections has increased as businesses with large amounts of roof space install energy generation plants utilising photovoltaic panels that generate large amounts of power for use by the business or to transfer into the local distribution network. The large-scale grid connection at Drummond Street has enabled apprentices and existing linesworkers to build their knowledge and understanding of grid connections as part of their existing apprenticeship and skill development.
Electrical distribution networks are moving from the generation of large amounts of energy in a few locations to the generation of energy across thousands of micro generation sites. This will require electrical linesworkers to install and maintain systems that control energy flow and store energy in pole top and community batteries. Holmesglen’s existing relationships with industry will enable it to quickly respond with training solutions to meet industry needs at the linesworker training centre.
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