New report outlines key actions to boost First Nations energy employment

The First Nations Clean Energy Network has launched a report offering recommendations to further include First Nations people in the workforce in the transition to net zero. 

The report found that there is opportunity to increase First Nations employment broadly, including targets in Renewable Energy Zones from 1.5 per cent to five per cent and up to ten per cent in some regions, to assist the clean energy industry’s need for more workers and to meet the Federal Government’s target of 82 per cent renewable energy generation by 2030. 

The First Nations Clean Energy Network report, Powering First Nations Jobs in Clean Energy, offers 12 recommendations across climate, energy and industry policy to be taken by federal and state/territory governments, industry and training organisations.  

The recommendations made in the report include: 

1. Incorporate First Nations employment and training targets into the Capacity Investment Scheme 

1. Coordinated industry program for First Nations apprentices in wind farm maintenance 

1. Integrate First Nations employment and training targets and initiatives into housing retrofit, diesel replacement and micro-grid programs 

1. ‘Career Trackers for Clean Energy’: Industry Commitments to First Nations cadetships 

1. Clean energy careers for First Nations school students 

1. School to VET transitions: Traineeships and Apprenticeships 

1. Outreach and engagement with First Nations communities via Regional University Hubs 

1. Pre-employment programs to create pathways into entry-level jobs in solar farms 

1. Funding Group Training, focussing on the REZs and First Nations housing retrofits 

1. Fund an Industry support program to enable achievement of employment and training targets 

1. Building the Capacity of First Nations Organisations, Networks and Businesses 

1. Building cultural competence in the renewable energy sector 

The First Nations Clean Energy Network said that the report authors reviewed industry and government policy, programs and targets across the nation to find out what is and is not working and found that there is potential through collective action to improve First Nations employment outcomes.  

The authors also examined renewable energy zones (REZs) in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, and found that the First Nations population share averages significantly higher than the national population share. First Nations residents in REZs are also typically younger residents – just over 50 per cent are 19 years or under compared to approximately 25 per cent of the REZ population, providing a large pool of early career candidates.  

Co-author and Research Director at the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures, Dr Chris Briggs, said that currently, the numbers of First Nations Australians working in clean energy are low. 

“First Nations in REZs are a ready-set-go workforce for the clean energy sector.  

“Our results indicate that if the clean energy industry could attract and train even modest proportions of young people, this would make a large contribution to the achievement of First Nations targets in most REZs, and to Australia’s transitioning economy as a whole. For example, there’s a great opportunity to train First Nations students as mechanical technicians to maintain the turbines over their 20-year lifetime and create jobs on-country.” 

“Equally, our findings show that by using targeted pre-employment programs, jobs for the unemployed or those ‘not in the labour force’ can be created on solar farms with enormous social impacts in regional First Nations communities.” 

Dr Briggs said that First Nations employment targets in REZs of five to ten per cent are achievable over time. 

“The key is to combine supply measures to increase workers with the right skills with demand measures to ensure there are job commitments from industry. Supply measures on their own too often become training for training’s sake without leading to jobs. Demand measures on their own mean industry can’t find enough workers with the right skills.” 

Co-author, steering group member of the First Nations Clean Energy Network and founder of Alinga Energy Consulting, Ruby Heard, said that in addition to shifting existing workers into renewable energy, developing initiatives for school students is paramount given the high proportion of younger people in REZs.  

“Our people want to work and students and those leaving school are a great place to start leading into entry-level positions, training programs and apprenticeships. 

“Government investment is needed to develop quality regionally based Registered Training Organisations and TAFEs in areas where the renewables industry is growing. We need quality, local training opportunities that are culturally appropriate and provide the specific support that many First Nations people will need to upskill for the clean energy sector.  

Ms Heard said that the clean energy industry also has work to do.  

“It must deliver on its promises, be culturally aware, offer competitive salaries, and establish supported training pathways that compete with jobs in mining. 

“Collaboration is key. Ensuring First Nations are part of the design and implementation of jobs and training pathways is crucial to success.” 

First Nations Clean Energy Network’s Co-Chair, Karrina Nolan, said that this should be the final report for government and industry on enabling and achieving employment and training outcomes for First Nations people in the clean energy sector. 

“Nearly every year the Australian Parliament delivers a report into First Nations employment outcomes, challenges and barriers. We recognise there’s ambition, but cut-through isn’t happening. 

“Rather than waiting for another report, we can use these 12 recommendations and the opportunity provided by the clean energy transition to get in the driver’s seat. 

“We must focus on where people are living, the energy projects being negotiated with Traditional Owners in those areas, the jobs First Nations can do on those projects, the community-controlled/First Nations providers that can deliver training needed, and the systems that are working or need fixing. 

“We need to make sure we can get people into jobs wherever they live. And that’s possible with solar, wind, hydrogen and the many projects that may occur on lands where First Nations have consented.” 

“The Australian government knows it needs more people in energy-related jobs, with Budget 2024 establishing the $44.4 million Energy Industry Jobs Plan and $134.2 million for skills and employment support in key regions. 

“Let’s use a percentage of these funds to invest in the economy of the future, set First Nations targets, deliver First Nations outcomes, and make the clean energy transition happen.” 

Image credit: hrui/Shutterstock.com.