Leading energy infrastructure company Jemena has joined forces with Saltbush Social Enterprises, part of the Karen Sheldon Group, to deliver a new Indigenous Workforce Mentoring Program: Pipeline to Success.

Jemena’s Managing Director, Frank Tudor said: “This program has been specifically developed for disadvantaged Indigenous job seekers in the Northern Territory’s Barkly region. It aims to equip participants with mentoring and leadership skills so they can support other members of the community into part-time and full-time employment.”

“Through our Northern Gas Pipeline project, we saw many local people participate in learning and development opportunities which ultimately enabled them to contribute to the successful construction of the $800 million gas pipeline. The Pipeline to Success initiative builds on this model and our hope is that through this program we will contribute to the broader economy of the Barkly region, while also identifying and mentoring a talent pool which is potentially capable of working on the Northern Gas Pipeline in the future.”

Mr Tudor congratulated the program’s inaugural mentor, Becky Limerick of the Wakaya people.

“We are delighted Becky has completed six months of training in which she learned about attendance, communication, team work and computer skills. We’re thrilled to hear Becky is already mentoring others and promoting the benefits of this course to her community.

“Becky’s positive experience has paved the way for the program to expand and two more members of the local Indigenous community are now participating.” Mr Tudor said.  

Mr Tudor said Saltbush Social Enterprises was selected to deliver the program after Karen Sheldon Training, part of the Saltbush group, co-delivered Jemena’s Gas Operator Training Program as part of the delivery of the Northern Gas Pipeline.

“Jemena has a long history of connecting with the local community and is building a legacy of support. This latest initiative will enable local Indigenous people to develop employment skills and career opportunities through mentoring. The program will provide an environment in which local people can receive training and receive skills-based learning while respecting their culture,” said Karen.

Image 1: (left to right) student mentor Becky Limerick with Claire Keen

Image 2: (left to right) Jemena MD Frank Tudor, Karen Sheldon Group MD Karen Sheldon and Jemena Corporate Development Manager NT, Brendan Bourke.

About Jemena

Jemena is an $11.5 billion company that owns and manages some of Australia's most significant gas and electricity assets. These include:

·                     the Jemena Gas Network servicing 1.4 million customers around NSW

·                     the Eastern Gas Pipeline which delivers gas from Victoria's Gippsland basin to the ACT, Sydney and regional NSW

·                     the Darling Downs Pipeline Network in south-east Queensland supplying Darling Downs Power Station and APLNG’s export pipeline

·                     the Queensland Gas Pipeline which supplies Gladstone and Rockhampton

·                     Jemena's Victorian electricity network which delivers electricity to over 350,000 homes and businesses in northern and western Melbourne

·                     the Northern Gas Pipeline between Tennant Creek in Northern Territory to Mount Isa in Queensland.

Jemena also part-owns the ActewAGL electricity and gas distribution networks in the ACT and United Energy, which supplies electricity to more than 600,000 customers across south-eastern Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.

For more about Jemena, visit www.jemena.com.au

About Saltbush Social Enterprises

Saltbush is a not-for-profit organisation developed in response to the urgent need for opportunities that create prosperity parity for First Australians in the Northern Territory. Saltbush provides and supports genuine opportunities for self-determination and prosperity parity for all Aboriginal Territorians through their employment services, intensive mentoring, counselling and Supported Bail Accommodation.

For more about Saltbush Social Enterprises, visit www.saltbushnt.org.au

About the Karen Sheldon Group

All Karen Sheldon Group enterprises focus on the shared vision of prosperity parity for all Territorians. The focus is on providing Indigenous employment and training opportunities that assist jobseekers transition from welfare dependence towards sustainable employment, careers and small business opportunities.