10 December 2013
MORE than 150 women eager to pursue a mining career will have the opportunity to directly engage with employers and enrol in fully-funded training at an Australian Mines and Metals Association (AREEA) jobseeker forum in Brisbane today.
“We’re offering Queensland women the opportunity to gain insight into the diverse roles on offer across Australia’s resource industry – from engineering and technical roles through to support services such as catering, cleaning and maintenance,” says AREEA director Tara Diamond.
Designed to bolster the number of women working in the industry, the Connecting Women Jobseeker Forum was developed with Australian Government funding as part of AREEA’s workforce development project ‘AREEA Skills Connect’.
“Today’s attendees span a range of skill levels, from university students to existing workers and unemployed – all looking to take part in Queensland’s burgeoning resource industry,” says Diamond.
“In addition to hearing from industry experts, eligible attendees will have the opportunity to kick-start a new career in the support service sector by enrolling in a fully-funded Certificate III in Hospitality with the Sarina Russo Institute.
“Support services provide a range of entry-level career opportunities in the resource industry including catering, cleaning and maintenance of worker accommodation villages, not to mention opportunities to travel and contribute to our country’s world-class resource projects.
“For all of the forum’s female jobseekers, learning more about the various mining projects in Queensland and nationally, and receiving direct advice from employers could provide the boost they need to embark on a rewarding resources career.”
Diamond says that improving career pathways for women has become a priority for the resource industry as it works to ensure it remains an attractive place for employment and investment.
The AREEA Skills Connect initiative complements the work underway by the Australian Women in Resources Alliance, which aims to increase the level of women in the resource industry from 15.5% to 25% by 2020.
“Resource employers know that remaining competitive in a global marketplace depends on a diversity of skills and perspectives within the workforce,” Diamond says.
“Employers attending today are showcasing the wealth of career opportunities on offer across their operations. Some already have well recognised diversity programs such as Caltex Australia’s BabyCare initiative, which assists new parents to return to work.”
Attendees will hear from employers including Theiss, Caltex Australia, Easternwell, Assetlink, Cater Care Services, Aero-Care, Diamond Protection, miningoilandgasjobs.com, Sarina Russo Institute and AREEA Skills Connect.
For a PDF of this release, including event details and relevant media contact, click here.
