Skip to main content

Site navigation

  • University of Technology Sydney home
  • Home

    Home
  • For students

  • For industry

  • Research

Explore

  • Courses
  • Events
  • News
  • Stories
  • People

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt
  • Study at UTS

    • arrow_right_alt Find a course
    • arrow_right_alt Course areas
    • arrow_right_alt Undergraduate students
    • arrow_right_alt Postgraduate students
    • arrow_right_alt Research Masters and PhD
    • arrow_right_alt Online study and short courses
  • Student information

    • arrow_right_alt Current students
    • arrow_right_alt New UTS students
    • arrow_right_alt Graduates (Alumni)
    • arrow_right_alt High school students
    • arrow_right_alt Indigenous students
    • arrow_right_alt International students
  • Admissions

    • arrow_right_alt How to apply
    • arrow_right_alt Entry pathways
    • arrow_right_alt Eligibility
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for students

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Apply for a coursearrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt
  • Scholarshipsarrow_right_alt
  • Featured industries

    • arrow_right_alt Agriculture and food
    • arrow_right_alt Defence and space
    • arrow_right_alt Energy and transport
    • arrow_right_alt Government and policy
    • arrow_right_alt Health and medical
    • arrow_right_alt Corporate training
  • Explore

    • arrow_right_alt Tech Central
    • arrow_right_alt Case studies
    • arrow_right_alt Research
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for industry

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Find a UTS expertarrow_right_alt
  • Partner with usarrow_right_alt
  • Explore

    • arrow_right_alt Explore our research
    • arrow_right_alt Research centres and institutes
    • arrow_right_alt Graduate research
    • arrow_right_alt Research partnerships
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for research

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Find a UTS expertarrow_right_alt
  • Research centres and institutesarrow_right_alt
  • University of Technology Sydney home
Explore the University of Technology Sydney
Category Filters:
University of Technology Sydney home University of Technology Sydney home
  1. home
  2. arrow_forward_ios ... Newsroom
  3. arrow_forward_ios ... 2024
  4. arrow_forward_ios 08
  5. arrow_forward_ios Powering First Nations Jobs in Clean Energy

Powering First Nations Jobs in Clean Energy

7 August 2024

A new report aims to enable careers, not just jobs, for First Nations Australians.

ISF-First-Nations-Energy

The gap in employment rates for First Nations Australians has not narrowed for three decades.

The majority of jobs offered to and taken up by First Nations people in regional and remote areas have something in common – they are of a casual nature, are low-paid and are not a career choice.

How can we bridge this gap, and build careers that benefit First Nations people?

First Nations communities often live in areas rich in renewable energy resources. By harnessing these resources, we can empower First Nations employment.

12 actions to power First Nations jobs in clean energy 

The Institute for Sustainable Futures leads a consortium for the First Nations Clean Energy Network that has produced ‘Powering First Nations Jobs in Clean Energy”.

The report was officially launched at Parliament House by Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen. 

It offers 12 key recommendations across energy, climate and industry policy. 

Six of the 12 recommendations are actionable now, including:

  1. Mandating minimum Indigenous Procurement Policy and Australian Skills Guarantee compliance in Capacity Investment Scheme merit criteria
  2. Negotiating minimum First Nations employment targets in Renewable Energy Transformation Agreements for solar farms in renewable energy zones supported by pre-employment programs to provide job candidates
  3. Reviewing ARENA's and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation's procurement guidelines to incorporate employment and training targets for First Nations
  4. Setting up a coordinated scheme for wind farm apprenticeships
  5. Mandating employment and training targets in the delivery of First Nations housing retrofit programs supported by training and pre-apprenticeship programs
  6. Setting up a First Nations Clean Energy Cadetship Program for First Nations school students in the clean energy sector

Creating an inclusive energy transition

The aim is to build careers, not just jobs. To see intergenerational change taking place, First Nations people – young and old – need to be encouraged to trust their own abilities and aim high when it comes to shaping their employment pathways.

Co-author Dr Sarah Niklas says, “We found complementary programs, such as pre-apprenticeships programs led by industry, are essential. They bridge the crucial period between leaving school and starting vocational training and provide First Nations youth with numerical and literacy skills. More importantly, the programs provide the space to develop support networks and build the confidence and social ties to create belonging in the workforce.”               

The clean energy transition presents a major opportunity to design a more inclusive economic system that recognises First Nations communities' vital contribution and potential. 

Co-author Rusty Langdon says, “Partnering with First Nations people is an essential component of the energy transition that will benefit the whole community. Our research, in partnership with the First Nations Clean Energy Network, is another chapter in an ongoing conversation with First Nations people on the clean energy transition and I look forward to learning more as we continue this shared journey.”

If done well, the renewable energy transition should improve the lives of First Nations Australians and help bridge the employment gap for good.

more information

Read the full report

Share
Share this on Facebook Share this on Twitter Share this on LinkedIn
Back to ISF news

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and the Boorooberongal People of the Dharug Nation upon whose ancestral lands our campuses now stand. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands. 

University of Technology Sydney

City Campus

15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007

Get in touch with UTS

Follow us

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Facebook

A member of

  • Australian Technology Network
Use arrow keys to navigate within each column of links. Press Tab to move between columns.

Study

  • Find a course
  • Undergraduate
  • Postgraduate
  • How to apply
  • Scholarships and prizes
  • International students
  • Campus maps
  • Accommodation

Engage

  • Find an expert
  • Industry
  • News
  • Events
  • Experience UTS
  • Research
  • Stories
  • Alumni

About

  • Who we are
  • Faculties
  • Learning and teaching
  • Sustainability
  • Initiatives
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Campus and locations
  • Awards and rankings
  • UTS governance

Staff and students

  • Current students
  • Help and support
  • Library
  • Policies
  • StaffConnect
  • Working at UTS
  • UTS Handbook
  • Contact us
  • Copyright © 2025
  • ABN: 77 257 686 961
  • CRICOS provider number: 00099F
  • TEQSA provider number: PRV12060
  • TEQSA category: Australian University
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility