AREEA initiative the Australian Women in Resources Alliance (AWRA) has welcomed the Queensland Government’s support for increasing women’s participation in the resource industry workforce, following the launch of a state-based mentoring program.

Education, training and employment minister John-Paul Langbroek last week announced the Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ) group would receive $100,000 annually for three years to help fund the WIMARQ Women’s Mentoring Program.

AWRA’s e-Mentoring online platform has already made significant in-roads since launching in February, with mentors and mentees commending the FIFO-friendly flexibility on offer, and AREEA director of group services Tara Diamond is sure the WIMARQ program will enjoy the same immediate success.

“AREEA is delighted the Queensland Government has committed to supporting a state-based program aimed at increasing women’s participation. WIMARQ has valuable objectives of its own and the success of their program will also help with AWRA’s national goal of increasing women’s representation in the resource industry from the current 15% to 25% by 2020,” Ms Diamond said.

“The face-to-face mentoring program will contribute to our mutual aims, and complements AWRA’s own e-Mentoring program, providing unique opportunities for collaboration in reaching our goals.”

For more information about the AWRA e-Mentoring program, click here.