Switched-on TAFE alumni energising future sparkies

A former Bendigo TAFE Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician student has returned to the Charleston Road Campus to deliver specialised training in solar and battery technology to electrical apprentices.

A qualified electrician for several years, Matt Roberts has taken on a cohort of about 30 third-year students at the TAFE’s new clean energy lab, in what is a first for the institution.

The students are currently gaining practical, job-ready skills including how to conduct a site survey for grid-connected photovoltaic and battery storage systems.

Having worked across hundreds of solar and battery projects so far in his career, Roberts said he thought it would be a nice transition to get into the classroom and pass on his accumulated knowledge.

“My main drive is to get people involved in the trade and then just see them learn new things and understand more about it,” he said.

“Last year I had apprentices.

“You could teach them new things and see their eyes light up.

“I thought, how good would that be on a bigger scale with more students?”

Roberts said as the industry is quickly evolving, clean energy skills are becoming essential for electricians.

“There are so many houses, property, even commercial buildings that now have solar or batteries on them,” he said.

“There are (also) so many incentives now from the government to help people get them.

“As a general electrician going to a property, I think 100 per cent it’d be beneficial if you’ve got some knowledge on how the system’s working.

“The more knowledge you have, the better.”

Find out more about the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician course on the Bendigo TAFE website at bendigotafe.edu.au/courses