Policy & Projects

Policy & Projects

Residential energy upgrades workforce mapping project

In March 2025, the EEC released the Residential Energy Efficiency Workforce Mapping Report which was prepared by the Institute for Sustainable Futures. The report provides a detailed snapshot of the workforce supporting home energy efficiency and electrification in Australia. 

Key report findings include:

  • 27 key occupations identified to deliver efficient electrification in Australia, plus 5 new or evolving roles that lack formal ANZSCO classifications.
  • VET is critical, with 18 of the 27 occupations identified having relevant VET programes attached. 
  • Workforce shortages and skills gaps are limiting progress on home energy upgrades.
  • Better licensing, training and market development are needed to support workforce expansion.
  • A central information hub to upskill both trades and industry professionals is of critical importance. 

The report highlights challenges well known in the sector - insufficient skilled workers, unclear job definitions, and limited training pathways - but also offers solutions to strengthen the workforce and improve energy efficiency outcomes. 

This work provides an evidence-based foundation for workforce planning to support large-scale residential energy upgrades in Australia 

Read the Report here.

Read the companion roadmap here.

Project background and methodology

The project involved two key components: 

  1. Literature review - A review of previous skills assessments, and capability-building initiatives in the residential building sector was conducted to understand existing research and initiatives, informing the project's scope.
  2. Stakeholder Engagement - This included:
  • Forums: The EEC hosted multiple forums in 2023 with industry, government, and other stakeholders to validate findings, refine skill gap analysis, and present draft workforce development pathways. 
  • Stakeholder Interviews: Around 20 in-depth interviews were conducted with key industry and government stakeholders to gain expert insights into workforce roles, training availability, and professional communities. 

This approach ensured a comprehensive understanding of skills, training gaps, and workforce development opportunities in residential energy efficiency. 

 If you have any questions about this project, contact info@eec.org.au