Gas company Santos recruiting young NT Aboriginal talent
While Elders and political parties ponder new ways to Close the Gap, young Aboriginal Territorians are taking matters into their own hands. Find out how.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
While Elders and political parties ponder new ways to Close the Gap, young Aboriginal Territorians are taking matters into their own hands, signing on with gas company Santos in a bid to gain financial independence.
As Santos celebrates its recent triumph in securing an essential permit to advance its Barossa Project, a steady surge of ambitious youngsters are lining up to get a piece of the fortune that lies ahead.
On the agreement of anonymity, Indigenous employees, who joined the company via the Santos-KAEFER Indigenous Employment and Pathways Program, have spoken out about their decision to join Santos.
“It has helped me to help my Mum and provided me with a life-changing opportunity,” said one cadet.
“It has shown me that I can break the cycle, to have a career, and to financially help my Mum and siblings.”
Their scaffolding teammate agreed.
“My partner and I have started looking for our own place as we take the next step in building our life together,” he said.
“This program helped me grow – not just as a young man – but as a future leader in my community.
“I hope that the younger kids back home see what I’ve achieved and feel inspired to do the same if they take the opportunity.”
Another employee, a trainee administrator who joined the company straight out of school, said she stood by her “excellent choice”.
“(It provided) me with the opportunity to gradually adjust to a professional environment while benefiting from both on-the-job experience and classroom learning,” she said.
“The combination of these experiences has enabled me to seamlessly transition into the workforce and truly enjoy the work I do.”
For years, Santos’ attempts to further its multi-billion dollar plans have been delayed and disrupted through various legal disputes, particularly with traditional owners, who have voiced their concerns regarding environmental and cultural impact, as well as autonomy over their land.
Santos does not frame the Indigenous program as a ploy to win over emerging elders, however, and maintains the initiative is creating “lasting change”.
“I am extremely proud of our Santos-KAEFER employment program,” chief executive and managing director Kevin Gallagher said.
“It is a genuine example of how Santos is taking real and practical action to help close the gap on Aboriginal disadvantage in the NT.”
In its second year, the program currently has nine cadets undergoing their scaffolding traineeship, with a further five working at the DLNG Plant.
KAEFER Aboriginal engagement advisor Kylie Thorn said the program was creating “real” change.
More Coverage
Originally published as Gas company Santos recruiting young NT Aboriginal talent
Ex soldier found dead at home amid partner’s suspicious death investigation
A man who allegedly assaulted, choked and threatened to kill a beloved Territory singer and mum has been found dead, 101 days after she died in suspicious circumstances.
Judges order lawyers to avoid ‘mad panic’ ahead of murder trial
An alleged murderer’s defence team is reviewing hundreds of hours of footage after a 36-year-old Darwin man vanished from a busy pub, only for his body to be discovered 12-months later dumped in bushland.