Western Power has renewed its partnerships with Clontarf Foundation and Waalitj Foundation as part of its commitment to building strong, respectful and mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The partnerships foster engagement between Western Power employees and Aboriginal students in both regional and metropolitan areas. They also play an important role in developing the diverse talent needed to ensure Western Power reflects and responds to the communities it serves.
Central to both partnerships are shared commitments to support educational and employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school students. Since beginning the partnerships in 2021, seven Clontarf students and two Waalitj students have been accepted into Western Power's apprenticeship programs.
The renewal will enable Western Power to leverage the expertise of its partners through co-design and collaboration to enhance entry-level pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In addition, the partnerships will continue to offer engagement opportunities for students and Western Power employees. Most recently, Western Power engaged Kent Street High School Clontarf Academy student Peter De Assis, to perform on didgeridoo at the opening of our new $123 million state-of-the art energy hub in Forrestdale. Previous activities and events have included employment forums, sporting carnivals, executive immersions experiences, artwork activations, academy visits, worksite visits and career guidance support.
The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, self-esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, equipping them to participate more meaningfully in society. The foundation currently supports more than 11,500 participants in 148 academies across Australia.
The Waalitj Foundation’s highly successful Deadly Sista Girlz program is a culturally appropriate healthy lifestyle program which aims to improve engagement and education among school-aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls. The program engages over 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in 18 high schools across Australia.
Western Power Executive Manager People Jo Christie said the partnerships are an important part of the organisation’s aim to embed and embrace reconciliation as we work towards a more inclusive workforce and community.
“Initiatives led by our partners Clontarf Foundation and Waalitj Foundation are an excellent way for us to come together to support reconciliation in the community and build new pathways for employment,” Ms Christie said.
“We’re proud of our partnerships and enjoy seeing the positive impacts they have on students, our employees and the community. We relish the opportunity to speak with Foundation staff on how we can further our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment journey and support the great work they are doing.”
“We have several students who are forging great careers with Western Power and we’re excited to see what the future holds for them in the energy industry.”