Full Name
Aaron Johnstone
Job title
Qld Renewable Energy Jobs Advocate
Organisation
Queensland Government
Speaker bio
Aaron Johnstone was appointed as the first Queensland Renewable Energy Jobs Advocate in 2024. He has over 30 years’ experience in public policy, industry engagement and advocacy and holds undergraduate and post-graduate qualifications in public administration.
Throughout his career, Aaron has developed a strong understanding of supply chains and regional economic opportunities, particularly in energy, manufacturing and resources. He has extensive experience engaging with government, industry, and communities, especially in areas such as skills and economic development.
As Jobs Advocate, Aaron works to ensure a long-term positive legacy from renewable energy, and in ensuring a fair and prosperous energy transition.
Throughout his career, Aaron has developed a strong understanding of supply chains and regional economic opportunities, particularly in energy, manufacturing and resources. He has extensive experience engaging with government, industry, and communities, especially in areas such as skills and economic development.
As Jobs Advocate, Aaron works to ensure a long-term positive legacy from renewable energy, and in ensuring a fair and prosperous energy transition.
Speaking At
Presentation title
Perceived barriers for local supplier involvement in Queensland's Renewable Energy projects
Presentation summary
For regional Queensland businesses, renewable energy projects potentially provide significant supply and growth opportunities.
In early 2025, a research project was initiated by the QLD Renewable Energy Jobs Advocate to explore the current engagement of regional small and medium sized enterprises in the supply chain for the renewable sector:
•How do they currently participate?
•What are some barriers to them being involved?
•How could local business involvement be increased?
The Forum presentation will provide a summary of this research, and canvass possible future directions
The research involved interviewing a cross-section of Councils, local industry groups, Chambers of Commerce, businesses and industry support representatives (25 in total) across regional Queensland in the first half of 2025.
The research has indicated that whilst many local businesses are already getting involved in supporting renewable energy and related projects, the overwhelming view was that local businesses could have a much greater role– both with the building and construction of such projects, as well as with their operation and maintenance over the longer term.
The study identified 10 distinct types of barriers preventing greater local industry involvement in projects, across 4 different themes.
Participants put forward a variety of suggested strategies that could support greater local industry participation, and many suggested stronger local content policies to foster greater local industry involvement.
The research also canvassed possible areas of future consideration, to be further explored and raised for discussion. These include a variety of industry-based and policy strategies.
In early 2025, a research project was initiated by the QLD Renewable Energy Jobs Advocate to explore the current engagement of regional small and medium sized enterprises in the supply chain for the renewable sector:
•How do they currently participate?
•What are some barriers to them being involved?
•How could local business involvement be increased?
The Forum presentation will provide a summary of this research, and canvass possible future directions
The research involved interviewing a cross-section of Councils, local industry groups, Chambers of Commerce, businesses and industry support representatives (25 in total) across regional Queensland in the first half of 2025.
The research has indicated that whilst many local businesses are already getting involved in supporting renewable energy and related projects, the overwhelming view was that local businesses could have a much greater role– both with the building and construction of such projects, as well as with their operation and maintenance over the longer term.
The study identified 10 distinct types of barriers preventing greater local industry involvement in projects, across 4 different themes.
Participants put forward a variety of suggested strategies that could support greater local industry participation, and many suggested stronger local content policies to foster greater local industry involvement.
The research also canvassed possible areas of future consideration, to be further explored and raised for discussion. These include a variety of industry-based and policy strategies.
