Newcastle has been chosen as the only location in NSW to deliver a new fully subsidised Diploma of Renewable, Sustainable and Circular Manufacturing Management.
The nationally accredited qualification will be offered exclusively through TAFE NSW‘s Tighes Hill campus, home to the Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, with enrolments now open for the first intake beginning on 21 July 2026.
Delivered over two and a half years, the part-time course combines on-campus, online, virtual and workplace learning and requires a commitment of up to 15 hours per week.
The program has been promoted by the Net Zero Economy Authority as part of efforts to prepare workers and industries for Australia’s changing energy and manufacturing landscape.
Linking manufacturing and renewable energy
The diploma focuses on the practical application of renewable energy and circular economy principles within industrial settings.
Students will learn how to implement sustainable manufacturing practices, reduce waste and improve operational efficiency while integrating renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind and hydrogen into manufacturing processes.
The course also covers renewable energy project management, including planning, delivery and impact assessment.
According to TAFE NSW, students will learn to “integrate renewable energy like solar PV, wind and hydrogen into manufacturing”.
Training extends to technologies increasingly used across modern industrial facilities, including automation, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, advanced materials, manufacturing execution systems (MES) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems.
Designed for workers building new careers
The qualification is intended for workers transitioning from industries such as power generation and mining, professionals seeking sustainability-focused management skills and tradespeople moving into leadership positions.
Applicants must live in NSW and be employed in a relevant industry. Evidence of industry experience is required through either a resume or employer letter, and assessment activities are linked to workplace responsibilities.
TAFE NSW recommends applicants have experience in manufacturing, engineering, sustainability or renewable energy, as well as literacy and numeracy skills broadly equivalent to senior secondary school levels.
Pathways for future study and industry roles
Graduates will receive an AQF Level 5 diploma and may progress to further study in areas including renewable energy engineering, environmental sustainability, sustainability project management, entrepreneurship and innovation.
TAFE NSW says the course is designed to help participants “support Australia’s transition to a clean energy economy and circular manufacturing systems.”
With the program available only at Tighes Hill, Newcastle becomes the focal point for a new training pathway that connects renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and workforce development at a time when the Hunter region is continuing to adapt to changes across its energy and industrial sectors.
