Santos seeks to upskill Aboriginal Territorians with new pathway program

A group of young Indigenous residents have joined Santos’ ranks in Darwin, as part of a program the gas company’s top boss declared a “resounding success”.

Santos' newest recruits. From left to right: Montel Egan, Danny McLennan, Bobby Gumbula, Chad Charles, Thomas Tambling, Colin Bithell, Allan Johnston, Kalina Luta , Keith Boombi, Noel Campbell, Rick Zaccaria.

Young Indigenous workers are joining the ranks of Santos through a new program aimed at empowering First Nations people, with the gas company’s top boss declaring the pathway a “resounding success”.

This week, Santos announced nine new scaffolding cadets had started their training at the Santos Darwin LNG facility after becoming the first group to participate in the Santos-KAEFER Indigenous Employment and Pathways Program, which commenced in March 2024.

The program, aimed to provide Aboriginal Territorians a well-paid and secure career, achieved a “great” success rate, with nine of the 12 cadets who commenced the program opting to continue their training at the DLNG Plant, according to Santos.

Santos chief executive Kevin Gallagher maintained the company was taking real action in closing the gap.

“Training, education and good jobs are the foundations of human development, and this program is empowering trainees with the skills and knowledge to secure long-term employment and improve their economic and social outcomes,” he said.

“This program has already been a resounding success and is just one example of how Santos is committed to real and practical action to help close the gap on Aboriginal disadvantage in the Northern Territory.”

The company confirmed a further 11 Aboriginal trainees and apprentices would commence the program in June 2024 to fill a wide range of roles, including as mechanical fitters and boilermakers.

Santos chief executive Kevin Gallagher says more investment into the Top End’s Indigenous community could be expected. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Gallagher also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to foster relations with traditional custodians.

“Our Barossa Aboriginal Future Fund will invest up to $10 million in Northern Territory coastal Aboriginal communities and homelands as the development phase of our Barossa Gas Project progresses,” he said.

It was also confirmed the Darwin LNG joint venture would provide $3 million to fund KAEFER’s delivery of the Aboriginal jobs program at both KAEFER sites and Darwin LNG.

KAEFER chief operating officer Trent Northover said he appreciated the opportunities that had been delivered through the program.

“We are very thankful for the opportunity to work alongside Santos and Darwin LNG on this program, which strongly aligns with our Reconciliation Action Plan commitments,” he said.

“This program is providing Aboriginal Territorians with structured pathways that will lead to meaningful, sustainable employment.

“Our established facilities, long-term presence in Darwin and close working relationship with Santos and Darwin LNG are providing the ideal platform for this.”