The Australian mining industry is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers while demand remains high. However, women currently make up just 18% of mining industry positions. Many mining companies recognize that increasing female participation could help address the shortage. Issues like perceptions of physical labor and remote locations discourage women from applying. Mining companies are offering incentives like flexible hours, childcare, and family-friendly policies to attract more women. Improving female participation is seen as crucial to the future of the Australian mining industry as it addresses the critical skills shortage.
2. The Australian Mining Industry is currently
experiencing severe shortage of skilled
workers, whilst the demand for employees
with critical skills remains high.
However, women are
currently filling just 18%
of positions within the
mining industry.
3. Increasing Participation
Many mining companies recognise that increasing the
participation of women within the mining sector could offer a
solution to their shortage of skilled workers.
In order to recruit women, these companies are
looking to address a number of the issues which
tend to discourage women in applying for mining
roles.
4. Issues Preventing the
Participation of Women
Perception that mining roles involve:
- hard physical labour
- long working hours and shift work
- remote locations
Difficulty balancing the above with looking after children.
5. Encouraging
Female Applicants
Incentives being offered to help attract women to
mining opportunities include:
- Flexibility in working hours
- Parent-friendly work schedules
- Female work uniforms
- Childcare facilities within the workplace
- More comfortable working conditions
- Extended maternity leave
- Breast-feeding facilities
- On-site housing for couples
- Female-friendly work environments
- Excellent salary packages
6. Women in Hard Hats?
More and more women are working within mining roles
previously dominated by male employees, such as drilling,
truck driving and underground labour.
However, the mining industry is not restricted to these roles
alone.
There are a range of
employment opportunities
available to women, with
vacancies aimed at both skilled
and unskilled positions.
7. Advantages for
Women in Mining
For both genders, working within the mining industry can be a
demanding career choice.
However, the incentives which are being put in place to
increase the participation of women could redress the
gender balance.
For women who are able to balance family life with a career in
the mining industry, the incentives offered may prove highly
beneficial.
8. The Future
Improving the
participation of women is
crucial to the future of the
Australian Mining
Industry.
Recruiting a workforce
which caters for female
employees remains a key
strategy in addressing the
critical skills shortage.
9. For more information and the latest mining jobs visit
www.miningoilandgasjobs.com
10. For more information and the latest mining jobs visit
www.miningoilandgasjobs.com