Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan Launches $50 Million Plan to Revive SEC Apprenticeships

Allan framed the initiative around her father’s experience as a linesman for the original SEC, recalling how her mother told her he had lost his job. She said the SEC once trained thousands of apprentices who built lifelong careers and a sense of community. The program is being unveiled at Labor’s final state conference before the November election, positioning it as a contrast to Liberal promises of cuts. The SEC was originally privatised in the 1990s under Jeff Kennett and later revived as a government‑owned entity by Daniel Andrews in 2023.

The government‑owned SEC will offer 2,000 electrical apprenticeships over four years, with the first intake in January 2027. Training will occur at two sites, one in Melbourne and another in regional Victoria. The $50 million funding covers wages, supervision and placement on SEC projects or private work such as wind farms and data centres. Jobs and Skills Australia estimates that without intervention, Victoria could face a shortage of as many as 42,000 qualified electricians by 2030, driven by declining apprenticeship numbers, unclear returns for employers and a lack of trainers.

By linking apprenticeship revival to her personal narrative, Allan aims to appeal to voters concerned about job security and the clean‑energy transition. The scheme could provide a steady pipeline of skilled workers for renewable‑energy infrastructure, helping Victoria meet climate targets while addressing workforce gaps. Politically, the announcement reinforces Labor’s platform of making life "easier, safer and more affordable" and sets up a clear election‑time contrast with the opposition’s focus on regional infrastructure spending.