Bill Mundy: Building the Backbone of Australia’s Wind Energy Workforce

In episode 6 of The Skills Exchange, we meet with International VET Practitioner Fellow Bill Mundy, who’s leading the charge in building Australia’s wind energy workforce.

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Bill Mundy standing above a Vestas V80 Nacelle used for training purposes at the Deutsche Wind Technik Academy

Australia is prioritising to meet its renewable energy targets as we shift to a clean economy. Bill Mundy, who was formerly a business development leader at Federation University and now a renewable energy consultant, is transforming how Australia trains the next generation of wind energy technicians.

During his 2023 International VET Practitioner Fellowship, Mundy travelled through the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Spain and Scotland, exploring how these countries train wind turbine and blade technicians to support their more mature renewable energy sectors. Mundy discovered these countries had integrated more sophisticated skills-based training, particularly the merging of electrical and mechanical competencies into single qualifications — a sharp contrast to Australia’s siloed approach.

Mundy standing dockside of the Service Operations Vessel (SOV) Edda Wind

“At the time that I applied [for the Fellowship]” Mundy explains, “the Australian training sector didn't have any dedicated training for the wind energy sector… There were short courses, there was industry run training etc. but there was nothing that existed in the TAFE sector to support the development of apprenticeships”

Recognising the gap, Mundy played a pivotal role in creating the Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Training Centre (APRETC) at Federation University. Backed by industry funding and state government support, APRETC became Australia's first centre to offer apprenticeship-based training for wind turbine blade technicians, using the Certificate III in Engineering – Composites (MEM31119). It also introduced training pathways for turbine technicians, those responsible for maintaining the inner workings of turbines, from electrical systems to mechanical operations.

Installation of the Offshore Substation on the jacket foundations, completed wind turbine in the background

Mundy states that APRETEC was “designed to address the shortages… associated with blade technicians and the technical training associated with turbine technicians.” Mundy highlights that APRETEC is “the only one of its kind in Australia that's actually operating and providing that sort of training and apprenticeship programme for blade technicians,” positioning Victoria at the forefront of renewable energy workforce training.

The profound outcomes of Mundy’s International VET Practitioner Fellowship, along with the sector’s growing demand for expert guidance led Mundy to leave his role at Federation University and establish his own consultancy in 2024. His unique blend of industry, government, and vocational education experience has made him a sought-after voice in wind workforce development, bridging the gap between training and industry.

Reflecting on his Fellowship, Mundy states that “it changed [his] life,” and that he’s grateful “he [gets to] be a part of something that's nation building” in transitioning Australia to a clean economy.

Mundy at the Nordex Global Training Academy with the Nordex Team, Hamburg Germany.