news.com.au, 30 May 2014
WOMEN forging career paths in the blokey industries of mining, oil and gas, are about to receive some extra support.
The federal government will today commit $440,000 of taxpayer funds to extend an e-mentoring program, designed to partner up women working in the male-dominated resources industries, often on remote locations like oil rigs, with corporate mentors working in other states and on other projects.
The program, created by the Australian Women in Resources Alliance and the Australian Mines and Metal’s Association, seeks to encourage more women to pursue careers in mining, oil and gas.
Women make up just 15% of the mining industry workforce, which compares dismally to 46% across other industries.
The program allows young female workers to have e-chats and web-based training with an individually appointed mentor for nine months.
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Michaelia Cash, said the expanded program will now target indigenous women, recent graduates and women who have attained a trade.
“There is an irrefutable business case for gender equality in the resource industry and across other industries, in terms of productive capacity, for the government, for business and for the community,” Senator Cash said.
AMMA executive director of industry services Tara Diamond welcomed the additional commitment of funds from the federal government and said more than 150 resource sector workers are already benefiting from the program.
“For a woman working on a remote mine site or oil rig, a connection to an experienced professional working in a different state or on another project can make all the difference to their career development,” Ms Diamond said.