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Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)

Aboriginal employment—Chevron’s journey

Camis Smith
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Chevron Australia Pty Ltd.

The APPEA Journal 55(2) 425-425 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ14060
Published: 2015

Abstract

Advancing Aboriginal participation in the workplace comes with its challenges, and those experienced in the oil and gas industry are unique. Barriers to participation need to be regularly evaluated and addressed for success.

Although Chevron Australia’s focus on Aboriginal employment is fairly recent, it receives strong internal support from senior and corporate leadership. It will be important in the future to further this commitment and build ownership throughout the organisation to achieve long-term results and meet business needs and skills gaps.

Camis Smith, Chevron Australia’s Aboriginal Employment Strategy Manager, will share Chevron’s experiences, lessons and challenges in advancing Aboriginal participation in the workplace, and reinforce its reputation as an employer of choice.

Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies and through its Australian subsidiaries, has been present in Australia for more than 60 years. With the ingenuity and commitment of more than 4,000 people, Chevron Australia leads the development of the Gorgon and Wheatstone natural gas projects, and has been operating Australia’s largest onshore oilfield on Barrow Island for more than 45 years.

Camis Smith is the manager of Aboriginal Employment Strategy for Chevron Australia, working between the Karratha and Perth offices in WA. Camis oversees the recruitment, development, training and retention of Aboriginal people in Chevron Australia’s operations. He joined Chevron Australia in April 2010 and his previous roles include manager of Aboriginal employment strategy at Rio Tinto Iron Ore, director of Aboriginal policy and services for the Ministry of Justice, head of trades and technology at Pundulmurra TAFE College, advisor to the Minister for Education and Training in the Northern Territory, curriculum development officer for Remote Trades Training and senior lecturer for adult education and trades at Northern Territory TAFE.

He holds a Bachelor of Education from Curtin University of Technology and diplomas in teaching (industrial arts), business (frontline management) and workforce training and assessment. Camis is the chairperson for Challenger Institutes Aboriginal Education, Employment and Training Committee (AEETC).