Jemena partners with Saltbush for Northern Territory Aboriginal job training scheme

A Territory-based Aboriginal employment program has received a $100,000 boost to provide cultural mentoring and job skills to ten Indigenous jobseekers. Read the details.

Russel Brookes, Nerise Cook, Jemena with Saltbush Social Enterprises Indigenous Skills Employment Program participants. Picture: Supplied

Ten Territory-based Aboriginal job seekers will receive mentoring, life-skills coaching, and job-readiness courtesy of a $100,000 partnership between Saltbush Social Enterprises and east-coast energy infrastructure company Jemena.

Jemena’s Executive General Manager of People, Safety, and Governance Craig Ypinazar said the funding would be used to deliver Saltbush’s innovative Foundation 2 Future program.

Established in 2024, the Foundation 2 Future program is said to be “a holistic, person-centred employment and engagement initiative” that gives participants the tools and skills needed to pursue “meaningful work”.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Saltbush again this year to deliver the Foundation 2 Future program,” Mr Ypinazar said.

Jemena’s Nerise Cook and Nicole Shackcloth, chief executive of Saltbush Social Enterprises. Picture: Supplied

“The program offers a holistic support model which is tailored to each individual and their needs as part of their job readiness journey.

“At the heart of the program are its Aboriginal mentors who offer cultural understanding, bespoke mentoring, and life-skills development.

While only in its second year, the Foundation 2 Future program is already placing participants in meaningful employment, delivering benefits to the participant as well as the broader community.”

Jemena and Saltbush Social Enterprises have a history of co-operation, having previously worked together to co-design the Pipeline to Success program.

The successful multi-year program equipped Aboriginal People with mentoring skills so they could support others into employment.

My Ypinazar said during the Northern Gas Pipeline planning, construction, and commissioning phases the project created more than 1,200 jobs, of which 833 were secured by people from the communities surrounding the pipeline route.

Anti-fracking protests outside the NT Resources Week event at the Darwin Convention Centre on Wednesday, September 3. Picture: Zizi Averill

Jemena also recently sponsored 20 Indigenous delegates to attend the 2025 NT Resources Week.

Jemena’s 20 delegates attended conferences throughout the week, hearing from industry leaders and key members of government including the Chief Minister and Federal Government representatives.

“This is a practical way that we can support Indigenous people who are interested in joining or are already members of our sector with networking and other opportunities which make sense for them,” Mr Ypinazar said.

Originally published as Jemena partners with Saltbush for Northern Territory Aboriginal job training scheme