A new mentoring program has been launched in Brisbane to help women develop their careers in Queensland’s resources industry.
The Women in Resources Mentoring Program is an initiative of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ), following a successful pilot program that ended last year.
It was unveiled by BHP Billiton asset president Rag Udd and Leeanne Enoch MP, minister for Innovation, Science and Digital Economy and minister for Small Business, on behalf of the QLD Premier.
BHP is the program’s foundation partner and will provide scholarships to allow participation by women in rural or remote regions, indigenous women, and new graduates. The Queensland Government is also providing scholarships for regional and indigenous women.
Outgoing QRC chief executive Michael Roche said the program gives the opportunity for women to connect with high-level mentors that will help them achieve their career objectives.
“Mentoring is a key strategy to helping women progress their careers in our resources sector,” he said.
“Since 2006, QRC members have been striving to even up the gender balance in our sector through our Women in Resources Action Plan, which has seen the proportion of women in non-traditional roles such as engineering, trades, geology and senior management increase from six per cent in 2006 to 13.3 per cent in 2014-15.”
Udd supported the program’s ability to enable more women into executive roles.
“A workforce with people from diverse backgrounds, including a better gender balance, is critical to supplying the workforce of the future,” he said.
The program will continue to 2019.
Leeanne Enoch MP