Action item 13.2

Progress

100%

Complete.
Approved by decision makers.
Recommendation implemented.

That the Government works with stakeholders and gas companies to ensure that there is early knowledge of the labour and skills required for all phases of any onshore shale gas development in order to maximise local employment.

Target completion date

Completed.

Reform area
Maximising regional benefits and local opportunities
Project action
Creating local training programs, skills assessment and employment
Lead agency
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade

Action item update

Implementation

An onshore gas supply chain working group has been established to coordinate industry and government efforts to maximise regional benefits and local opportunities. Members include Northern Territory Government, Santos, Origin Energy, Empire Energy, Tamboran Resources, Central Petroleum, Australian Petroleum and Production Exploration Association (APPEA) and the Industry Capability Network Northern Territory.

Local Benefit Reporting:

  • Current active explorers in the Beetaloo to provide to government an annual local benefit report from the production phase summarising commitment to local benefit and employment. The NT Government will seek participation from other petroleum title holders once they become active.
  • An aggregated industry report on local benefit outcomes to be published annually from the production phase. The NT Government has committed to funding the first three reports.

Government initiatives being implemented:

  • Business growth programs and grants
  • Business pivot grants
  • Business upskilling
  • Aboriginal business development program
  • Small business champion guidance
  • Territory Business Centre's in Katherine and Tennant Creek
  • JobTrainer Program
  • Aboriginal employment programs such as Aboriginal Workforce Grants and Aboriginal Responsive Skilling Grants
  • NT VET Programs (apprenticeship and traineeships)
  • Territory Workforce Program
  • Industry Buildskills Program.

The NT Government is procuring a Northern Territory Beetaloo Skills Audit through the Industry Skills Advisory Council NT to be delivered in 2023.

The NT Government funded the Industry Capability Network Northern Territory to identify and measure local benefit outcomes realised through onshore industry activities in the Territory through analysis conducted on proponents' procurement data.

Government engagement with Beetaloo gas industry to understand supply chain principles, requirements, expectations and skills. This information will form the next level of detailed engagement with regional businesses and stakeholders.

Economic data will be published through social impact management plans and environmental management plans to ensure that the public has access to information on local benefit opportunities.

Implementation of the Barkly Regional Deal (Federal, NT and Barkly Regional Council) includes:

  • Beetaloo Aboriginal Economic Development Strategy – a study by Charles Darwin University on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure Transport, Regional Development and Communications
  • Development of a Regional Workforce Strategy
  • Juno Jobs – pathways to apprenticeships and traineeships; working model developed for community consultation as a pilot program specific to the Barkly region.