Job Demand

Job Demand

Demand Across Australia

Demand for Electrical Trainers is strong and continues to grow, driven by widespread skills shortages across the electrical trades and the broader vocational education and training (VET) sector. As Australia accelerates infrastructure, renewable energy, mining, and housing construction, the need for qualified electricians has risen sharply, and so has the need for the trainers who develop them.

Electrical Trainers sit at the centre of the workforce pipeline. Without them, apprentices cannot be trained and qualified electricians cannot upskill,  creating a structural shortage of trainers across multiple industries and regions.

A national shortage of trainers

There is a recognised shortage of qualified VET trainers and assessors, especially in technical trades like electrical. Many experienced trainers are retiring while not enough qualified electricians are transitioning in to replace them, leading to delays in course commencement, reduced training capacity, heavier workloads, and competition between employers for training staff.

High demand across industries

Vocational Education

Continuous demand for trainers and assessors, ongoing apprenticeship delivery, and a shortage of qualified electrotechnology trainers.

Mining & Resources

HV and site-based training roles, with strong demand for FIFO trainers and competency specialists.

Energy & Utilities

Network training, switching, and safety compliance roles,  growing with grid upgrades and renewables.

Renewable Energy

Fast-growing demand for solar, battery, and EV infrastructure training, with new technology requiring specialist trainers.

Why the shortage exists

  • Retirement of experienced trainers leaving the workforce
  • Better pay in industry roles compared with some training positions
  • Rapid growth in apprenticeships and enrolments
  • Expansion of renewable energy and infrastructure projects
  • Lack of qualified electricians holding the TAE40122
  • Training bottlenecks limiting industry output

The outlook remains highly positive over the next decade. Government workforce planning indicates sustained pressure on the VET system, while growth in electrification, renewables, and infrastructure is expected to further increase demand. For qualified electricians seeking a long-term career beyond the tools, training offers a stable, high-demand pathway with strong employment security.