Construction has started on the University of Newcastle’s New Energy Skills Hub, a purpose-built facility designed to support workforce development for the region’s changing energy sector.
Backed by $20 million in funding, including $16 million from the Australian Government’s Priority Community Infrastructure Program and a $4 million university contribution, the project reflects the Hunter’s role in training workers for emerging energy industries.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said the investment would support workforce preparation as the region moves into new forms of energy production. She said, “This facility will give researchers, students and industry the capability to test and develop new technologies at scale, while creating training pathways that prepare local workers for the jobs of tomorrow.”
Project completion is expected in the first quarter of 2027.
A single site for education, training and industry use
The 905 square metre building will include an open-plan workshop fitted with specialised equipment across five functional zones. These areas are intended to support education, training, testing and demonstration activities within the same facility.
The Hub is being developed in collaboration with TAFE NSW and other training providers, as well as industry partners. It is designed to support multiple entry points into the workforce, including short courses, micro-credentials, and accredited technical training.
Students across vocational and higher education pathways, along with secondary school participants, are expected to use the facility alongside industry operators. The model brings different training systems together in a shared environment, allowing learners to move between pathways while maintaining direct exposure to workplace practices.
Industry testing integrated with student learning
Alongside training, the Hub will operate as a testbed where industry can trial and refine systems and components under different conditions. This function is intended to link research, training and commercial application within a single site.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Belinda Tynan said the facility would focus on practical outcomes for students. “The University of Newcastle is, first and foremost, a university for our regions. As the Hunter prepares for carbon neutral future, the New Energy Skills Hub will ensure our students have access to the practical, industry-ready training they need to step into the jobs of tomorrow,” she said.
Professor Alan Broadfoot, who will oversee the project, said the facility is intended to support collaboration across sectors. He said the Hub would enable a cooperative approach to skills development while supporting both existing and emerging industries in the region.
Part of a broader industrial precinct expansion
The Skills Hub is the first stage of the University’s Next Generation Resources Park, an expansion of its industrial innovation precinct aimed at responding to shifts in the regional economy.
By combining training delivery, technical accreditation and industry engagement within one facility, the project is structured to support ongoing workforce development as new energy projects progress across the Hunter.
