Resources and energy employers today celebrate the critically important role of women to the industry’s present and future success.

This International Women’s Day, Australian Resources and Energy Group AREEA is also proud to highlight its ongoing work to assist mining, oil and gas, and allied sector employers to attract and retain more female employees, managers, and c-level executives. These initiatives include:

• The Australian Women in Resources Alliance (AWRA): In its ninth year, the industry’s leading national diversity and inclusion initiative facilitates programs, support and guidance to assist employers in building their diversity and inclusion capability (learn more here).
• AWRA Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board: A passionate committee of senior industry leaders who assist with diversity and inclusion program design and improvement; identify new priorities and facilitate engagement between AWRA and wider industry.
• AWRA Knowledge Centre: Providing employers with the latest industry information, tools and best-practices for diversity and inclusion policies and workplace cultures.
• Bright Future STEM Primary Schools Program: In its third year of building awareness amongst primary school students of the industry’s diverse and rewarding careers including through hands-on STEM activities and female role model presentations.

In addition, AREEA regularly delivers its Appropriate Workplace Behaviours training to member company employees, with a strong focus on discrimination, sexual harassment and inclusive workplace culture.

With technology and innovation transforming the industry, AREEA Director Operations Tara Diamond said it was important to highlight exciting new opportunities for highly skilled women to enter the resources and energy workforce.

“AREEA is proud to guide and support resources and energy employers in their commitment to increase female workforce and leadership representation,” Ms Diamond said.

“Many employers are looking to fully realise the wide-ranging benefits of increased female participation and have developed industry-leading policies and initiatives to attract and develop women in the resources and energy industry.”

Ms Diamond said the concerted efforts of employers were among a range of factors transforming the industry to be more attractive to female demographics.

“Technology is also dramatically changing workforces in our industry, opening up more opportunities for women through long-term and more flexible career options,” she said.

“This is why celebrating the role of women in Australia’s resources and energy sector is so important. We need to promote the broad career opportunities in high-skilled, highly paid roles, to attract and retain the best female talent.

“To this end, AREEA congratulates and commends nominees in the various state chamber women in resources awards – such as the CME’s Women in Resources Awards announced last week in Western Australia, and the Queensland Resources Council’s Resources Award for Women to be announced on Wednesday.

“These women, and thousands more around the country, play a crucial role in making our industry tick.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Brad Thompson, 0409 781 580