NZEA

31/08/2026

Today, CEO David Shankey announced that our public consultation process has commenced to help determine whether the Energy Industry Jobs Plan (EIJP) is required for Gladstone Power Station.

Gladstone Power Station is operated by NRG Gladstone Operating Services Pty Ltd on behalf of an unincorporated joint venture and may retire in March 2029.

Through the consultation process, we're seeking feedback on:

✅ how the potential closure may affect workers, local businesses and the wider community
✅ the transition supports already in place
✅ what opportunities exist in the regional labour market that can support worker transition

🗣️We encourage community members, workers, businesses and stakeholders to have their say.

📆 Online submissions close at 5pm AEST on 25 September 2026.

Read more in the comments below 👇

28/08/2026

The launch of Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) Tender 11 is another important step in building Australia's future energy system, supporting 1.8 GW of new renewable capacity in WA and creating opportunities for meaningful First Nations partnerships.

Looking forward to seeing the innovative projects that help power the next chapter of Australia's energy future. 🌏⚡

Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) Tender 11 – WA Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) Generation is now open for bids. ⚡

Key features of Tender 11 include:

• A target of 1.8 GW of renewable generation capacity in the WEM by 2030. 🌱
• A First Nations set-aside for projects with 5%+ equity and/or revenue sharing. 🤝
• A requirement for projects to participate in WA's Reserve Capacity Mechanism. 🔋
• The potential to be the final WEM tender under the CIS, subject to capacity targets being met.

📅 Bids will close at 5pm AWST on 22 October 2026.

🔗 Link in comments. 👇

26/08/2026

The future of steelmaking is being shaped at the The University of Newcastle, Australia.

For more than 15 years, the university's partnership with BHP has brought researchers and industry together to tackle one of the defining challenges of our time: decarbonisation.

Together, they're advancing technologies that support the production of low and near zero emissions steel – one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise and helping create real world impact for Australian industry.

Professor Tom Honeyands, Director of the University's BHP Centre for Sustainable Steelmaking Researchsays, ‘Decarbonisation is a shared priority for both parties.’

By bringing together scientific expertise and industry collaboration, researchers are advancing pathways to support the production of near-zero-emission steel while strengthening Australia's industrial future.

📷 Image by Financial Review featuring Associate Professor Arash Tahmasebi and Associate Professor Tom Honeyands, co-directors of the BHP Centre for Sustainable Steelmaking Research at the University of Newcastle.

📖 Read more via the link in the comments.

25/08/2026

🎓 Calling all Engineering & Technology Students!

Did you know applications for the DIIP - Defence Industry Internship Program close on 30 August?

Here's what students from our priority regions, Hunter and Central Queensland, had to say:

⭐"MCS gave me a genuine opportunity to apply my university skills in a real working environment."
Joe McIntyre, The University of Newcastle, Australia

⭐"I researched and worked on helping educate the company on specific defence-related requirements surrounding cyber security."
James Baker, The University of Newcastle, Australia

⭐"This internship was the 'golden opportunity' I had been pursuing."
Patrick Ward, CQUniversity

This paid internship program gives students the chance to work on real projects with innovative defence industry businesses while building practical skills, industry connections, and professional experience.

If you're in your final year of an Engineering or Technology degree, this could be your chance to gain paid industry experience and kick-start your career.

📅 Applications close 30 August.

👇 Link in the comments.

21/08/2026

⚡Powering local jobs, supporting Australian manufacturing and creating lasting benefits for Central Queensland.

🌱ACCIONA Energía Aldoga Solar Farm, located north-west of Gladstone, is set to generate enough renewable energy to power around 185,000 homes, with 820,000 solar panels delivering 387MW into the grid. The project is also the first of its kind in Queensland to incorporate Australian-made steel for its solar panel mounting structures.

👷For Site Manager Tim Wight, the project's impact goes beyond construction.

💭“It’s great for the area. I’m very proud to be a part of this project and my family is too… creating long term jobs for the next 30 years plus contractors… it’s a great feeling that we know that we’re supporting local community in this area.”

Learn more via the link in the comments. 👇

20/08/2026

🧑‍🎓 Meet Seth Fitzgerald, an engineering student from the Upper Hunter with big ideas for the future.

🛠️ After discovering The Melt Modern Manufacturing Centre in Muswellbrook, Seth was able to explore his passion for building and innovation in a real-world setting. He's now studying Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Newcastle and hopes to one day return home to establish his own engineering business.

💬 "I think renewable energy is something we need to keep investing our time in – there is room for more innovation."

⚡Young innovators like Seth are helping shape the technologies and industries to support Australia's net zero future.

👇 Read the full story in the comments.

19/08/2026

☀️ What happens to solar panels when they reach the end of their life?

🏡Australia is a world leader in rooftop solar, but many people wonder what happens when solar panels eventually need replacing.

The good news is:

✅ Most solar panels last 25–30 years or more
✅ They're made from around 95% recyclable materials
✅ Australia is investing in a national solar panel recycling pilot program to help recover valuable materials and reduce waste.

➡️Swipe through to learn more about how solar panels can support a circular economy, even at the end of their working life.

Learn more below in the comments below 👇

18/08/2026

New opportunities start with new skills. 🛠️

The Victorian Renewable Energy TAFE Centre of Excellence, led by TAFE Gippsland, is helping prepare workers for jobs in the growing renewable energy sector while supporting businesses to access the workforce they need.

As Holly Perriam, Director of the Centre of Excellence, says, the Centre is the "Front door of everything clean energy training in the Victorian TAFE system."

As the Latrobe and Gippsland region continues its economic transition, investment in training and workforce development will play an important role in connecting local people with emerging industries and future jobs.

Read more in the link below ⬇️

17/08/2026

🎓 The first students have officially started training at the new Collie Transition Training Centre.

The $8.6 million facility is part of the WA Government's $700 million commitment to the Collie Just Transition and has been purpose-built to support the region's changing workforce needs.

With modern training spaces and industry-focused programs, the centre will help local workers upskill, reskill and transition into new career opportunities without having to leave the region. It will complement the existing South Regional TAFE Collie campus and provide 550 training places in courses aligned with Collie’s new industries.

A great example of how investment in education and training can strengthen regional communities and support future industries.

👇 Read more via the link in the comments.

14/08/2026

🏭 As Australia's energy system changes, regional communities and pioneering companies are helping shape the country's economic future.

🌱 The Hunter Region is home to innovative businesses like MGA Thermal , whose thermal energy storage technology is enabling 24/7 clean energy. Manufactured locally and exported around the world, MGA Thermal's technology demonstrates how local expertise can contribute to global energy challenges.

💭As Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Dr Alexander Post explains: "We manufacture our bespoke material here in the Hunter and we export that all over the world to solve emissions and climate change."

👇 Read more via the link in the first comment.