Aboriginal Mentoring Program Gets Formal Tick of Approval

A mentoring program which was developed and piloted in the Northern Territory has today received national accreditation in recognition of its unique approach to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into meaningful employment.

The accreditation means participants who complete the Pipeline to Success program will have their qualifications formally - and nationally - recognised, with graduates of the six month program set to receive a Certificate for a Course in Mentoring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Mentors.

A first-of-its-kind program, the Pipeline to Success equips Aboriginal leaders with mentoring and other specialised skills (such as skills in self-management, reflective practice, and emotional intelligence) to support other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into meaningful employment. The program is a collaboration between Saltbush Social Enterprises, Karen Sheldon Training, and leading energy infrastructure company Jemena.

Managing Director of the Karen Sheldon Group and Chairperson of Saltbush Social Enterprises, Karen Sheldon said the accreditation recognises the critical role mentors play in empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People into sustainable employment.

“This program gives both mentor and mentee the confidence and communication skills needed to navigate the workplace, and focuses not only on helping people find the right job, but on job retention,” said Ms Sheldon.

Ms Sheldon said the course reflects over a decade of practical on-the-ground learnings and insights obtained by Karen Sheldon Training through its Future Stars Indigenous Aspirations Program, as well as on-the-job training of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentors, and broad industry and community consultation.

The program also builds on Jemena’s Project Ready Training Program, which trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to work on Jemena’s $800 million Northern Gas Pipeline (NGP) project.

Jemena’s Managing Director, Frank Tudor, said: “The talent of the Northern Territory community was on full display throughout the development of the Northern Gas Pipeline project where we saw local people contribute to all elements of the pipeline’s development and construction.”

“The Pipeline to Success program is a natural evolution of our work in the community throughout the NGP project, and we are thrilled to see the program receive formal accreditation.”  

Established in late 2019, the Pipeline to Success program has developed over 10 mentors who have gone on to provide job readiness training to more than 350 disadvantaged Aboriginal job seekers from across the Northern Territory.

Jemena has contributed more than $400,000 in funding to support the development and rollout of the program.

At the completion of the pilot, the program will be made available to employers throughout the Northern Territory.

For full details on how to become a mentor or hiring employer email info@saltbushnt.org.au/aboriginal-mentoring-program or visit: www.saltbushnt.org.au/aboriginal-mentoring-program.

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Jemena Media Contact
Michael Pintabona
0428 742 804

Saltbush Social Enterprises Media Contact
Jessica Brownlie
0407 791 152