Victoria launches 2000 SEC apprenticeships ahead of election

Published: 23 May 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has announced a major apprenticeship initiative at the state Labor conference, unveiling plans for 2,000 government-backed electrical apprenticeships as part of a broader pre-election push focused on jobs, skills, and energy infrastructure development.

The program will be delivered through the revived State Electricity Commission, with the government positioning it as a key response to workforce shortages in the energy sector and rising concerns about job insecurity among young workers entering technical trades. The initiative forms part of a wider strategy to strengthen Victoria’s role in Australia’s clean energy transition while addressing gaps in skilled labour supply.

Under the proposal, the State Electricity Commission (SEC) will recruit apprentices over a four-year period, with training hubs planned in Melbourne and regional Victoria. The first intake is expected to begin in January 2027. The apprentices will work on government energy projects and may also be deployed to private sector developments such as wind farms and large-scale data infrastructure projects.

The policy builds on the revival of the SEC, a government-owned electricity body that was re-established in 2023 after being dismantled and privatised in the 1990s under former Premier Jeff Kennett. Allan framed the announcement as part of a return to a model that once provided structured training pathways and long-term employment opportunities for trades workers.

In her speech, Allan drew on personal family history, recalling her father’s experience as a linesman for the original SEC. She described the organisation as a place where young workers entered apprenticeships, gained qualifications, and built stable careers supported by strong workplace communities. Her remarks were met with strong applause from party members and union delegates attending the conference.

The premier said the initiative was intended to address what she described as growing barriers for young people trying to enter skilled trades. She pointed to declining apprenticeship uptake across Australia despite rising demand for electricians, particularly as Victoria accelerates investment in renewable energy infrastructure and electrification projects.

Industry forecasts cited during the announcement suggest a significant shortfall of electricians nationally by the end of the decade. Workforce planning bodies have warned that demand pressures are being driven by clean energy expansion, increased construction activity, and a lack of training capacity in technical education pathways. Employers have also raised concerns about insufficient returns on investment in private apprenticeship schemes, which can discourage hiring.

By expanding state-backed training, the government aims to create a more direct pathway into employment, with apprentices gaining hands-on experience across public and private sector energy projects. Supporters argue the model could help stabilise supply in critical infrastructure roles while offering young workers guaranteed entry points into skilled careers.

However, the announcement also comes amid broader political positioning ahead of the upcoming state election. Opposition figures argue that the government is using infrastructure and employment programs as part of a wider campaign strategy. Critics have questioned the long-term financial sustainability of expanding state employment programs, warning about potential budget pressures.

Despite political debate, labour groups and industry stakeholders have generally welcomed increased investment in apprenticeship training, particularly in sectors facing acute shortages. Electrical unions have long argued that structured government involvement is necessary to rebuild training pipelines that have weakened over time due to market-driven shifts in education and employment.

During the conference, Allan also referenced a range of broader policy discussions within the Labor movement, including proposals relating to workplace rights, reproductive health leave, and cannabis law reform. While many of these motions are non-binding, they reflect ongoing internal debates about social and economic policy direction within the party.

The opposition Liberal Party, led by Jess Wilson, used its own state gathering to criticise the government’s broader record, focusing on infrastructure spending priorities and regional investment. The opposition argued that voters should consider alternatives to Labor’s long-term governance strategy, framing the election as a choice between continued reform and policy change.

Political analysts suggest that the apprenticeship announcement is designed to appeal to both younger voters and working-class households concerned about cost-of-living pressures and job security. By linking education, energy transition, and employment, the government is seeking to reinforce its message around “practical opportunity” and economic fairness.

As the election approaches, the policy is expected to become part of a wider debate about the role of government in workforce development, particularly in sectors undergoing rapid transformation due to decarbonisation and technological change. The success of the initiative will likely depend on its implementation, funding sustainability, and ability to deliver long-term employment outcomes for participants.

For now, the announcement signals a clear strategic focus from the Victorian government: expanding public sector involvement in skills training while positioning itself as a key driver of the state’s clean energy workforce transition.