First Nations Engagement in the Transition to Net Zero
The Australian Government is working towards more use of clean energy and making sure workers have the skills to support Australia’s transition to net zero emissions. As part of this, the government has a priority to employ more First Nations peoples in the future decarbonisation workforce. The decarbonisation workforce involves jobs where people are helping reduce carbon emissions, move the electricity network to renewable energy sources and improve energy efficiency. It also involves jobs that work to capture carbon, for example through land care and biodiversity support.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations engaged Ninti to:
- research the opportunities and barriers for First Nations peoples in getting training, education and jobs in the decarbonisation workforce
- assess existing cultural safety measures in the sectors that are decarbonising to support First Nations peoples
- identify resources needed to create safer, more supportive environments for First Nations learners and workers in decarbonising sectors.
The project carried out desktop research, consultations with key stakeholders and case studies of promising practices. These helped form a clearer picture of the barriers, opportunities and culturally safe practices that support participation of First Nations peoples in the decarbonisation workforce.
Our findings supported us to develop tools, resources and future activities across government, industry, training providers, Jobs and Skills Councils and the broader workforce to help increase First Nations participation in the net zero transition.
Resources created by Ninti One
We developed the following resources to build awareness, strengthen visibility and empower First Nations peoples to make informed decisions about whether and how they wish to engage with the decarbonisation workforce:
| Community Report This snapshot gives an overview of Ninti One’s research project First Nations Engagement in the Transition to Net Zero. It includes a summary of the project, who we spoke to, what we heard and learned and the resources we created. |  |
| Decarbonisation Pathways This pathway poster is a one-page visual journey showing how a person can go from first hearing about decarbonisation jobs to thriving and leading others in these industries. |  |
| The Net Zero Storybook The Net Zero Storybook was developed to share real stories of First Nations peoples working in or engaging with the decarbonisation sector, helping to bridge cultural knowledge, lived experience and sector opportunity in a visually engaging and accessible way. |  |
| Employer Guide: Creating Inclusive Workplaces The Employer guide was created for employers, to give them advice that is specific to decarbonisation. It includes actions for recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, wraparound support and cultural safety, all tailored to the realities of the sector, with guidance on how to design and implement approaches to cultural safety that are relevant to their own workplace. |  |
| First Nations Decarbonisation Career Guide The First Nations decarbonisation career guide has plain-language summaries of different industries, roles within those industries, required training, pay expectations and pathways to advancement. It includes visual pathway maps showing how someone can enter, train and grow within key decarbonisation jobs, with the necessary wraparound supports to help them thrive. |  |
| RTO Guide The RTO Guide was developed specifically for Registered Training Organisations to provide practical advice on creating culturally safe workplaces and learning environments. It outlines actions for student recruitment, induction, mentoring, wraparound support and cultural safety. The guide offers practical strategies for embedding cultural safety into training delivery and organisational practice. |  |
| Decarbonisation Pathways Guide Jurisdiction-specific role profiles build on the careers guide and provide detailed training and employment guidance tailored to state or territory requirements and job hotspots. The guides include visual pathway maps showing how someone can enter, train and grow within key decarbonisation jobs within the jurisdiction. The guides also include day-in-the-life insights about what each roles involves. | ACT NSW  NT  QLD  SA  TAS  VIC  WA  |
Artwork
This artwork is a story that incorporates the project First Nations Engagement in the Transition to Net Zero. It represents the various pathways First Nations people might take to find their feet in a secure workforce. Each step of the way – from starting out, to becoming successful and eventually guiding the younger generations is a journey in itself.
Firstly, people will hear about a job and decide if it is right for them. If this is the path they’d like to take, the next step of this journey is getting skilled up and landing the job. Once the job is secured, they will settle in and ultimately grow and thrive, in order to eventually teach new ones coming through.
Each pathway and section of the design has plenty of community symbols. This represents the support of those who are encouraging and helping to build confidence for these First Nations peoples.
About the Artist – Kirralee Costelloe
My name is Kirralee Costelloe, and I am a proud Mandandanji / Noonuccal Woman who was born and raised in Rockhampton, Queensland. My art journey started about 7 years ago when I decided to carry on my Elder’s legacy of painting and create my own, for my people, for my family and for myself. I thrive when I’m meeting new people in my community and having the opportunities to teach them about my story, while also creating art for them in many different ways.