Arrow Energy and Energy Skills Queensland (ESQ) have partnered Western Downs Traditional Owners to develop a plan to boost job prospects for Indigenous people.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting the Premier, the Hon Glen Elmes, launched the Western Downs Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Workforce Plan in Brisbane yesterday [28 November].
“Arrow engaged ESQ to undertake several planning workshops in the Western Downs region to consult with Traditional Owners on how to create brighter economic futures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Arrow CEO Andrew Faulkner said.
“This plan is ready to be revealed and Arrow is proud to have worked with ESQ and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the region to map out a way towards long-term prosperity.
“Included in the plan are the key industries where workforce needs are expected to increase over the next five years, what positions will be in demand and the qualifications needed to obtain the roles.
“The clear message from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community was they wanted to be involved in workforce planning right from the start, and their insight has been invaluable.”
The key industries identified to target jobs in the future were:
- agriculture
- health
- accommodation and food services
- cultural heritage and cultural services
- transport and logistics
- teaching
- coal seam gas.
Western Downs Traditional Owner Zeta Binge said the plan, which will be developed upon and enacted by a steering committee, would help address the disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians when it came to economic outcomes.
“One of the greatest advantages of the Western Downs Workforce Plan is we actually have from a community level the opportunity to be actively engaged in addressing economic disparity, which is one of the greatest moral dilemmas Australia faces when it comes to Aboriginal issues,” Ms Binge said.
“Another advantage is the fact Traditional Owners are involved; we know the communities and we know our people.
“The benefits will be supporting and enhancing the opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Western Downs region.”
The plan is part of the Surat Basin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Workforce Planning Project under Arrow’s Whanu Binal program.
Whanu Binal assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to develop their capacity, knowledge and skills to gain work in the resources sector.
This year, 26 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people graduated from Whanu Binal with a Certificate I in Construction and Certificate II in Hospitality across the Darling Downs and central Queensland.
Many participants have obtained full-time jobs across a number of industries in their local areas.
More than 15 Indigenous businesses are set to pre-qualify for supply work with Arrow after briefing sessions were held to inform them of the standards and process.
Five of these businesses are Traditional Owner companies from within Arrow’s footprint.
Mr Faulkner said Whanu Binal had delivered outcomes in 2013 and those milestones would also be celebrated at the launch event.
“Whanu Binal is a project Arrow is particularly proud of and demonstrates a commitment to helping Indigenous Queenslanders along the pathway to long-term employment,” Mr Faulkner said.
“Arrow was the first coal seam gas company to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan, which Mr Elmes launched earlier this year.”
Arrow sponsors more than 200 bursaries, scholarships and training initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland.