FOUR up-and-coming resource industry women have received scholarships to progress towards executive position on company boards across the mining, oil and gas sectors.

The scholarships, funded by Downer Mining and BHP Billiton, have been awarded to women already working in the resource industry, but who are looking to excel into senior management positions.

Following the success of previous programs which saw seven women complete courses to become company directors, the scholarships specifically enable the recipients to complete the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors’ Course during 2015.

The scholarship initiative, established by the Minerals Council of Australia, serves to encourage more female participation on mining company boards. The overwhelming popularity of the scholarships demonstrates that there is a strong community of interest among talented women for Board positions, and a growing pool.

The Australian Women in Resources Alliance extends congratulations to the four scholarship recipients and wishes them the best of luck in future.

If you want to learn more about the initiatves driving women’s participation in the resource industry, make sure you are at the 2014 Australian Women in Resources Alliance Forum taking place in Perth on 19 November.