Growing Geelong’s workforce of the future

At the heart of the agreement is a shared commitment to link local training with local jobs.

The proposed Geelong Renewables Terminal would deliver essential port capacity and specialised facilities to support offshore wind, including the assembly, storage and deployment of large-scale components. Just as importantly, it is designed to create long-term employment and skills opportunities for the region, building on Geelong’s strong industrial, manufacturing and maritime heritage.

As part of the proposed terminal, GeelongPort and The Gordon will work together to progress a purpose-built Renewables Research and Education Campus at the site. The campus would embed education, training and workforce development directly within the infrastructure required to deliver renewable energy projects.

For local people, this means the opportunity to train, learn and work in Geelong rather than having to leave the region to access future-focused jobs.

The campus is intended to support industry-led, job-ready training aligned with the operational needs of the Geelong Renewables Terminal and the broader clean energy sector, ensuring skills development keeps pace with infrastructure delivery.

Under the MOU, GeelongPort and The Gordon will collaborate to design and deliver education, training and workforce initiatives that respond to current and emerging skills needs across renewable energy, logistics, construction, operations and maintenance.

Key areas of focus include:

• Industry-aligned training linked to real jobs in renewable energy and port operations
• Clear pathways through traineeships, apprenticeships and employment-linked programs
• Opportunities to upskill and reskill local workers as industries evolve
• Stronger partnerships between industry and TAFE to support job-ready outcomes
• Joint workforce and labour-market analysis to guide future training needs
• Inclusive access to training, including targeted support for priority cohorts

When integrated with The Gordon’s existing Renewable Energy Hub, the proposed Renewables Research and Education Campus would give students hands-on experience in offshore wind assembly, logistics and operations. This place-based approach is intended to strengthen workforce readiness while creating clear, local pathways into clean energy jobs.

The proposed Geelong Renewables Terminal is expected to deliver significant benefits for Geelong and Victoria, including job creation, industrial diversification and the strengthening of manufacturing, logistics and maritime capabilities. By drawing on proven international delivery models, the project would also support innovation and the development of Australian capability in renewable energy infrastructure.

The project has particular significance for Geelong’s northern suburbs, including Corio and Norlane, which have a proud industrial history and remain a focus for future skills development and employment growth.

Victoria’s offshore wind rollout is one of the largest industrial transitions in the state’s history and will require a skilled workforce operating at scale. GeelongPort has identified a pathway to achieve operational readiness by 2029, supporting a coordinated, multi-port approach to offshore wind delivery.

Quotes attributable to GeelongPort CEO Brett Winter:

The Geelong Renewables Terminal is about bringing the clean energy transition home, creating real jobs, real skills and real opportunities for people who live and work here.

Partnering with The Gordon means we’re growing our own workforce for the future, right here in Geelong.

Quotes attributable to The Gordon CEO Joe Ormeno:

Working with GeelongPort helps us train people locally for the clean energy jobs of the future, shaping the next chapter of Geelong’s industrial story.

Training alongside the Geelong Renewables Terminal gives our students—from school-leavers to career-changers—a clear pathway from the classroom into meaningful, future-focused work right here in our region.