Western Power has renewed its partnerships with Clontarf Foundation and Waalitj Foundation in support of greater educational and employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school students.
The partnerships are part of the business’s drive to building strong, respectful and mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Now into their fourth year, the partnerships are central to identifying and developing diverse talent and have seen 10 students join Western Power as lineworkers, automotive mechanics, electricians and business trainees.
The partnerships involve the foundations co-designing of entry-level pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Additionally they offer engagement opportunities for students and Western Power employees in both regional and metropolitan areas. Most recently, Western Power employees took active roles at the Waalitj Expo, the Waalitj Cup Football Carnival and the Clontarf Cup.
Western Power Executive Manager People Jo Christie said the partnerships were taking an active role in reconciliation towards a more inclusive workforce and community.
“Our partnerships with Clontarf Foundation and Waalitj Foundation are an excellent way for us to come together to create new pathways for careers in the energy industry,” Ms Christie said.
“We’re seeing positive and productive outcomes all round, for students, our employees and the community. We’re looking forward to further expanding and developing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment journeys together.
“The foundation alumni are forging great careers with us and we’re excited to support them and see what the future holds for them in the energy industry.”
The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, self-esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, equipping them to participate more meaningfully in society. The foundation currently supports more than 11,500 participants in 148 academies across Australia.
The Waalitj Foundation’s highly successful Deadly Sista Girlz program is a culturally appropriate healthy lifestyle program which aims to improve engagement and education among school-aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls. The program engages over 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in 18 high schools across Australia.