This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change the intergenerational wealth of First Peoples in this country through renewable energy projects and jobs.
That’s Tegan Miller talking, a First Nations Clean Energy Network PowerMaker alumni and employee of Powercor who joined three other First Nations speakers at the launch of our new report Powering First Nations Jobs in Clean Energy at Parliament House on 25 June 2024.
At the launch, Tegan, a Wiradjuri woman, reinforced to an audience of 60 including Federal Ministers Chris Bowen and Linda Burney that First Nations people are coming from a different starting point to the wider population due to colonisation and subsequent intergenerational trauma.
“That means training and employment programs need to embed additional support mechanisms to successfully recruit and retain First Nations people in the energy industry.”
Tegan described a program she helped set up with CitiPower & Powercor, the inaugural First Peoples Pre-apprenticeship Scholarship which provides a pathway for applicants to enter a Certificate II in Electrotechnology at TAFE, assisted by a scholarship of $2000 and additional training to remove barriers to employment.
Once people complete the program, they can work anywhere in the industry where jobs are available.
Tegan said they noticed that from more than a thousand applications coming into their generic apprenticeship program, including around 30 from First Nations people showing the strong level of interest in working in the industry, not one of the First Peoples were successful in obtaining an apprenticeship in 2023.
“To address this, we looked at why this may be the case.
"We found two main factors creating a barrier for First Nations people from progressing: answering video questions, and aptitude testing, which is critical for getting into the CERT II or III at TAFE.”
Application to the pre-apprenticeship program was then adapted to remove barriers to entry.
“To apply to our program, applicants now need to fill in a 10-minute online form or return it via mail. The next step is having a 15-minute yarn to get to know them.
“And for the aptitude tests, we now run a session where they get to complete it in the training week and we provide extensive feedback on areas to focus on, as well as access to over 50 aptitude tests to practice on.”
The company also checked the cultural safety of their depots and identified First Nations mentors in each location to assist the apprentices.
They ran their first intake in May on Yorta Yorta Country ahead of the apprenticeship intake opening in July.
“The students were thrilled to be at the depot and enjoyed hands-on tools training, communication on the job, and aptitude testing.
“We also assisted them with writing resumes and cover letters, did mock interviews, and provided PPE as well as additional working-at-heights training.”
Tegan explained that some students needed an extra bit of support due to low self-esteem and anxiety were assisted by the TAFE Koorie Unit and additional training at Powercor.
“I also noticed none of the students had laptops so now we have sent them laptops to assist with their studies and job applications.”
Tegan said applicants left the training week feeling more confident than ever.
“Employment programs and opportunities change First Nations communities, build intergenerational wealth and economic prosperity, while also building great relationships with the community in which the company operates.”
Apply to the CitiPower & Powercor First Peoples Pre-Apprenticeship Scholarship here
Read our report Powering First Nations Jobs in Clean Energy here