Mining companies are meeting in Perth today to discuss strategies aimed at increasing the level of female participation in the sector to 25 per cent by 2020.
The Australian Women in Resources Alliance (AWRA) Forum, hosted by national resource industry employer group AMMA, will meet to discuss ways to attract and retain more women in mining.
AMMA executive director Tara Diamond said there are already a number of initiatives in place to support greater participation.
Diamond said the AWRA Recognised Program is one such initiative and is being taken up by likes of BHP Billiton, Caterpillar Australia, and Farstad Shipping. “AWRA Recognised assesses how well workplace policies and practices support workforce diversity and inclusion,” Diamond said.
“The program provides resource employers with a roadmap to improve the way they attract and retain women across all levels of their organisations. “This includes practical strategies such as changing the language used in recruitment campaigns, targeting female graduates, reviewing pay equity, and mentoring and professional development support for women.”
Delegates of the AWRA Forum will also hear from companies including St Barbara, Iluka Resources, Deloitte Australia and Georgiou Group.
While a special panel session on employment participation by Indigenous Australians will feature Fortescue, Leighton Contractors, Morris Corporation and Australian Indigenous Women in Mining.
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