Australian organisations fast tracking women into resources

Two Australian women’s networks have teamed up to fast track more women into the resources and energy industries as well as help elevate them into leadership roles. 

Women In Sustainable Energy & Resources (WISER) and Indigenous Women in Mining and Resources Australia (IWIMRA) are working together to improve the outcomes for all women in the sector.

On average, women in mining represent only 16% of the industry’s workforce.

The Queensland Resources Council revealed in January 2024 that the number of women working in trade positions in the state’s resources sector jumped by almost 40% in the last financial year, now accounting for a record 13% of all trade roles.

QRC deputy CEO Judy Bertram says research shows a more diverse workplace helps create a safer, more productive and more positive working environment for all employees.

“The resources sector is also experiencing a serious skilled worker shortage so there are plenty of practical reasons why companies are seeking to recruit more women for a broad range of positions,” she says. 

In terms of the number of women gaining a seat on the board of the miners, by 2022 that had grown to around 17.6% within the top 500 listed mining companies, up from just 4.9% a decade earlier. 

However, IWIMRA co-Chair Christina Coleman says the resources and energy industries are in “dire need of more women in leadership positions”, and experienced and skilled Indigenous women should be part of the mix.

In mid-July, WISER announced all members will receive a 12-month premium+ membership of Women on Boards (WOB) Australia to kick-start and support their journey to the boardroom.

The organisation wants to see Indigenous women take up 10% of the available WOB memberships and course places, including any additional support which may be needed along the way.

Joanne Bergamin, WISER Chair and communications and sustainability director at WISER Bronze Partner QEM (ASX:QEM), says that of the first official WISER member cohort, 5% of the women are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin.

“We are aligned in so many of our goals and we share IWIMRA’s ambition to strengthen ties between First Nations communities and the critical energy and resources sector,” she says.

IWIMRA’s other co-chair Karina Lynch says the organisation is very supportive of the partnership with WISER to boost industry-wide participation and retention, and support its members’ upskilling.

“Working with Joanne and the WISER committee on their plan to positively shape their and our members’ futures and accelerate gender balance in our industry, is a fairly significant way of closing the gap,” she says.

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An alignment designed to make women WISER