Geraldton teenager Kaleb Miller’s career a success through Western Power and Clontarf Foundation partnership

A teenager is making progress in his career thanks to a partnership between Clontarf Foundation and Western Power that offers students entry level pathways into trades. The partnership was established four years ago and recently renewed. It aims to improve employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at both Clontarf Foundation and Waalitj Foundation. So far 10 students have begun careers at Western Power: five line worker apprentices, two electrical apprentices, one business trainee, one automotive mechanic trainee and one full-time electrical tradesperson. Two of those apprentices are women. Kaleb Miller, 19, had no idea the apprenticeship existed when he was finishing school with the Clontarf Academy in Geraldton. Now he is a second-year line worker apprentice at Western Power. He said the sense of community provided by the Clontarf Academy made the transition from school to work easier. “It has definitely helped me being with a group of people that provide a sense of community,” he said. “The team at Geraldton depot are very supportive of me when I need to go to Perth for training. It is also good that I am able to stay and work within my local community in Geraldton. “I didn’t know what a line worker was when I started my apprenticeship at Western Power — it is a great environment to learn within. There are also lots of opportunities available within Western Power to develop your career and find what you want to do.” The Clontarf Foundation aims to improve the education, discipline, self-esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, while the Waalitj Foundation aims to improve engagement and education among school-aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls. Western Power executive manager people Jo Christie said the partnerships were central to building strong and mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and creating employment pathways. “We’re seeing positive and productive outcomes all round, for students, our employees and the community. We’re looking forward to further expanding and developing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment journeys together,” she said. “The foundation alumni are forging great careers with us and we’re excited to support them and see what the future holds for them in the energy industry.”