Skills Development

Continuing Professional Development program

Energy Safe’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program has 2 parts:

• Skills Maintenance – a mandatory training course to refresh your existing skill
• Skills Development – 8 hours of training in a new or emerging area relevant to the electrical trade. You can select the type of training you do from the approved course categories.

You must complete Skills Maintenance to renew your licence from 1 July 2023.

More information:

Skills maintenance

What is Skills Development?

Skills Development is the second phase of the Continuing Professional Development program. It is being introduced to develop and expand on licence holders’ knowledge and skills in areas of interest relevant to the electrical trade. A wide range of courses are available to take into account industry changes. This allows the licence holder significant choice over the training they would like to do.

Who has to do Skills Development?

You need to do CPD Skills Development if you hold one of the following licence types:

• Electrician
• Electrician (Supervised) (ES)
• Licensed electrical inspector (LEI)
• Switchgear worker

The Skills Development requirement is per person, not per licence. You only need to meet this requirement once during the 5-year licence renewal cycle – even if you hold multiple licence types.

When does Skills Development have to be done?

Skills Development must be completed for licence renewals from 1 July 2028. Skills development can be done at any time in the 5 years leading up to your licence renewal.

This means:

• for licence renewals between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2028, you'll need to have completed your Skills Maintenance training
• for licence renewals from 1 July 2028 onwards, you will need to have done both Skills Maintenance AND Skills Development training.

Example

Ash's licence renewed on 6th June 2024. They did their Skills Maintenance training in February 2024 in readiness for renewal.

Their next renewal date is 6th June 2029. They'll need to do Skills Development training before this date. They can do this at any time between 6th June 2024 and 6th June 2029.

Ash will also need to do Skills Maintenance again. This will occur in the 2-year period before their next licence renewal – between 6th June 2027 and 6th June 2029.

Why is Skills Development being introduced?

The energy industry is:

• undergoing rapid change
• subject to technical complexity
• sometimes hazardous
• subject to regulatory changes.

Skills Development is being introduced as a mandatory licence requirement. This helps ensure licensed electrical workers (LEWs) are current – with both new technology and new safety practices.

Skills Development does this by:

• helping to ensure LEWs’ knowledge and skills remain current and relevant
• building on LEWs’ existing knowledge and skills
• reinforcing and updating safe work practices to reduce risks and incidents such as:
  • electric shock
  • electrocution
  • arc flash
  • fires
• raising awareness of industry best practices
• increasing public confidence in the industry by maintaining a highly skilled workforce
• encouraging a culture of continuous improvement.

Skills Development topics

Skills Development gives you a choice of courses. You can choose training that is worthwhile for you and your business. Some examples of possible courses are listed in the 'Examples of acceptable skills development training' section below.

Energy Safe will accept training from the three categories listed below.

• Category 1: Electrical industry technical training

Courses that are directly related to technical electrical subjects or topics.

• Category 2: Electrical industry – non-technical training

Courses in safety or business skills that are associated with the electrical industry.

• Category 3: Mental health and wellbeing courses

Courses to address or inform the mental health and wellbeing of the individual (self) – or for others. This includes courses in awareness and implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives.

It is not necessary to do training in every category. You can do the required total of 8 hours’ training in one category. You can also complete multiple short courses across different categories.

What type of training is acceptable?

Skills Development training courses and activities may be accredited or non-accredited.

Accredited training

'Accredited' refers to training courses accredited with national or state training bodies. They must be delivered by registered training organisations (RTOs) that are authorised by:

• the Australian Skills and Qualifications Authority (ASQA)
• the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA), or
• the Western Australian Training Accreditation Council (TAC).

Undergraduate and post-graduate courses delivered by an Australian university are also accredited training.

At the end of accredited training, you'll receive a unit of competence or qualification as evidence of completion.

For Skills Development, you may complete an entire skill set or qualification, or a single unit of competence .

Energy Safe requires 8 hours of Skills Development training per renewal cycle. However, most accredited units of competence and qualifications take longer. You may choose to do more training than required, noting this is a personal decision.

Non-accredited training

'Non-accredited' refers to training courses that are not accredited by national or state training bodies.

Non-accredited training isn't regulated. Energy Safe only acknowledges non-accredited training if we've accepted the provider – and if the training is structured.

Accepted training providers

What type of training is not acceptable?

Certain online courses

Online training courses and seminars, webinars, and attendance at online conferences are not acceptable for Skills Development activities, except in the following circumstances:

• The online activities are accredited training delivered by a registered training organisation.
• Category 3 (mental health and wellbeing) training courses delivered in a synchronous manner. 'Synchronous' means the course is delivered in real time by a trainer via an online video conferencing platform. Self-paced, or non-synchronous delivery is not accepted.

Note: Some online category 3 courses are partially self-paced and partially delivered synchronously. In these cases, only the synchronous section will count towards your Skills Development.

Online delivery of non-accredited training in any form – synchronous or non-synchronous – in categories 1 and 2 will not be accepted.

Certain in-person events

In-person workshops, seminars, conferences or information days or nights are not acceptable for skills development activities unless they are:

• facilitated by training providers accepted by Energy Safe and
• structured courses which include a specific time frame, detailed schedule, list of topics, and objectives or goals.

Example

An ‘information night’ might include:

• a supplier trade show
• entertainment
• dinner
• a regulatory/technical session
• general networking.

The only skills development activity from this example is the regulatory/technical session. This session also must meet the structured training requirement.

In-house training

In-house training specific to a company is not accepted.

Trade shows

Supplier trade shows and social events are not accepted.

Informal talks

Casual presentations such as toolbox talks are not accepted.

What does the training cost?

You're required to pay for your training. Costs may vary as there are many different courses.

Some courses may be offered for free or at a reduced cost. For example, a course may be fully or partially funded by the government. Industry organisations may also subside or cover fees for their members. Please contact your preferred training provider for details.

How to show you’ve done your training?

You will need to provide evidence to show you've completed your training. Evidence must be uploaded to ESVConnect via your profile.

For accredited training, you should upload one of the following documents:

• Statement of Attainment
• Statement of Results
• Qualification

The document must include a date of completion. The date must be within your 5-year licence renewal cycle.

For non-accredited training, you will have to upload a Certificate of Attendance. The document must include a date of completion. The date must be within your 5-year licence renewal cycle.

You can upload your evidence at any time. You don't need to wait until receiving a 'your licence renewal is due' reminder.

Energy Safe encourages you to upload these documents as soon as you complete your training. When uploading your evidence, you will need to answer some simple questions. For example, the training category and how many hours you are claiming.

Evidence audits

Skills Development evidence is subject to audit. It is your responsibility to ensure the training you have completed meets requirements.

We may contact you if your evidence or training doesn't meet the skills development requirements.

Examples of acceptable Skills Development training

Category 1: Electrical industry technical training

This is training that directly relates to technical electrical topics.

Accredited training

• Any unit of competence, skills set or qualification from the UEE – Electrotechnology Training Package. See: UEE Training Package
• Any unit of competence, skills set or qualification from the UET – Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector Training Package. See: UET Training Package
• Any unit of competence, skills set or qualification from the UEP – Electricity Supply Industry – Generation Sector Training Package. See: UEP Training Package
• Electrical or electronic engineering course subjects. These must be delivered by an Australian university, within undergraduate or postgraduate study.
• Any unit of competence, skills set or qualification from a Victorian qualification or ‘Course In’.
  
  These can be recognised by a course code with a 5-digit number and ‘VIC’. For example, 22324VIC.
  
  Only VIC courses relating to Category 1 are included. Excludes Certificate II Pre-vocational courses. Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • 22653VIC - Certificate IV in Electrical Inspection
  • 22496VIC – Course in Design and Installation of Grid Connected Renewable Energy Systems 30kVA to 200kVA
  • 22601VIC – Course in Design Stand-alone Power Systems
  • 22609VIC – Course in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure up to 22kW
  • 22600VIC - Course in Install Stand-Alone Power Systems
  • 22453VIC – Course in New Energy Technology Systems
  • 22519VIC – Certificate IV in Integrated Technologies
  • 22557VIC – Course in Safe Working Practices for Testing Low and High Voltage Distribution Power Cables
  • 22585IVC – Course in the Application of Internet of Things for Electricians
  • 22458VIC – Diploma of Railway Signalling Systems
  • 22596VIC – Graduate Certificate in Railway Signalling Systems
  • 22593VIC – Graduate Diploma of Railway Signalling Systems

Non-accredited training delivered by Energy Safe accepted training providers. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• solar or renewable system design and/or installation
• Licensed Electricians Theory (LET) or Licensed Electricians Practical (LEP) tutoring
• LEI training (course endorsed by Solar Victoria) or formal tutoring
• short courses on specific technical areas
• construction wiring courses
• electrical installation testing
• workshops, seminars or conferences that meet Energy Safe's requirements.

Note: Some non-accredited training is a combination of on-line and in-person practical components. Only the in-person practical hours are counted as a skills development activity. The relevant in-person hours will be recorded on the Certificate of Attendance.

Category 2: Electrical industry – non-technical training

Training in safety or business skills associated with the electrical industry.

Accredited Training

• Accredited Registered Electrical Contractor business courses. These are listed on the Energy Safe website: REC business nominee courses.
• RIIWHS204E - Working safely at heights
• TLILIC0005 – Licence to operate a boom-type elevating work platform (>11m)
• RIIHAN301E – Operate elevating work platform
• CPCCCM3001 Operate elevating work platforms up to 11 metres
• RIIWHS202E – Enter and work in confined spaces
• 22515VIC - Course in working safely in the solar industry
• 22509VIC – Diploma of electrotechnology project management
• 22597VIC - Course in workplace spotting for service assets
• UETDRRF004 – Perform rescue from a live LV panel
• HLTAID009 – Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• HLTAIA010 – Provide basic emergency life support
• HLTAIA011 – Provide first aid
• HLTSS00068 – Occupational first aid skill set
• TAE40122 – Certificate IV in training and assessment

Non-accredited training delivered by Energy Safe accepted training providers. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• non-accredited Registered Electrical Contractor business courses. These are listed on the Energy Safe website: REC business nominee courses
• arc flash awareness
• traffic management
• asbestos awareness
• business courses relating to management, financial planning, strategic planning, succession planning, taxation laws.

Note: Some non-accredited training is a combination of on-line and in-person practical components. Only the in-person practical hours are counted as a skills development activity. The relevant in-person hours will be recorded on the Certificate of Attendance.

Category 3: Mental health and wellbeing courses

These are courses or training to inform or address the mental health and mental wellbeing of the individual (self) or others. This category includes courses in awareness and implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Accredited training

• 22521VIC – Course in gender equity
• 22510VIC – Course in identifying and responding to family violence risk

Non-accredited training delivered by Energy Safe accepted training providers. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Mental health and wellness
• Mental health first aid
• Mental health in the workplace
• Inclusion / inclusivity awareness
• Gender equity
• Diversity training
• Suicide prevention and awareness
• Building resilience
• Alcohol and drug awareness
• Anxiety and stress management
• LGBTQI+ inclusivity
• Family violence awareness
• Emotional wellbeing

Skills Development FAQs

I'm doing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training for other purposes – for example, Solar Accreditation Australia accreditation. Can this count as my Skills Development training?

Other training can count if it meets Energy Safe's skills development requirements. For more information, see the 'What type of training is acceptable?' section above.

I'm already doing further study in the electrical field. Will this count towards my Skills Development?

Your further study can count if it meets Energy Safe's skills development requirements. For more information, see the 'What type of training is acceptable?' section above.

I have already completed post-trade study. Does this count?

This study can count if the training was completed in the 5 years prior to your licence renewal. It must also meet Energy Safe's skills development requirements.
For more information, see the 'What type of training is acceptable?' section above.

I would like to do a non-accredited course but the provider is not on Energy Safe’s accepted list. What can I do?

You can ask the course provider if it has applied to become an Energy Safe accepted provider. The course provider can find further information in the 'Information for potential training providers' section of our training provider page.

If you do a course with a provider that isn't accepted by Energy Safe at the time of your training, it will not count for Skills Development.

I need to update my first aid certificate. Does this count?

Yes, first aid is on the list of acceptable training, as long as you complete an accredited course.

My employer is paying for me to attend a working at heights course. Does this count?

Yes, working at heights is on the list of acceptable training – as long as you complete an accredited course.

I would like to become a trade teacher, so I am considering the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Does this count?

Yes, Energy Safe encourages electrical tradespeople to consider becoming trade teachers.

Why have you included mental health and wellbeing courses in Skills Development?

One in 5 Australians experience a mental issue each year, and one in 2 do so during their lifetimes. Despite being a widespread issue, most tradespeople don't talk about mental health – and the statistics for the sector are concerning:

• The suicide rate among young tradesmen is 3 times the rate of men in the general population.
• Construction workers are at least 6 times more likely to die by suicide than work accidents.
• 190 construction workers die by suicide each year in Australia.
• Men are 3 times more likely than women to take their own lives.

Source: https://mensline.org.au/mens-mental-health/how-to-promote-mental-health-at-your-work-site/

Energy Safe recognises, encourages and promotes the importance of mental health and wellbeing. By including these topics in skills development, we hope to raise awareness – supporting the mental health of licence holders, their families, friends and colleagues.

By prioritising mental health, workers help ensure safe workplaces and long, healthy careers.

How do I know if non-accredited training is being offered by an Energy Safe accepted provider?

The Energy Safe website lists accepted providers of non-accredited Skills Development training. See the 'Non-accredited training providers' section of our CPD training provider page.

This list is periodically updated. We recommend you check it before enrolling in training. This will protect you against misleading advertisements or false claims.

I want to do an accredited course at my local registered training organisation (RTO). Why isn’t it on Energy Safe’s list of accepted training providers?

Accredited RTOs offering accredited training are automatically accepted as providers. If a course meets accredited training requirements, it counts towards skills development.

I am studying a degree at university. Does this count?

A university degree counts towards Skills Development if:

• the field of study relates to the electrical field
• the university is Australian.

I live interstate. How can I complete my Skills Development training?

Many accredited courses are national units of competence that are available Australia-wide. These may be delivered at your local RTO.

Some non-accredited providers – that are accepted by Energy Safe – also deliver this training in other states and territories. Please check the list of accepted providers for non-accredited training.