Women miners in Australia to benefit from national online mentoring program

Whether they are based on the Pilbara’s offshore mega-projects or within the remote coalfields of Central Queensland, women working across Australia’s vast resource sector can now benefit from the industry’s first dedicated virtual mentoring program.

Delivered by resource industry employer group AMMA with support from the Australian Government under the National Resource Sector Workforce Strategy, the Australian Women in Resources Alliance (AWRA), e-mentoring program will connect experienced mining, oil and gas professionals with women in the earlier stages of their careers.

The AWRA e-Mentoring Program is a key part of AWRA’s wider strategy to increase the participation of women in resource jobs from the current 15.2% to 25% by 2020. The first round of e-mentoring partnerships has commenced, with both men and women mentors providing guidance to women seeking to further their resources careers.

AMMA director of group services Tara Diamond, says the remote locations and non-traditional work schedules of Australia’s resource industry often makes it difficult for career-driven women to connect with experienced industry mentors.

“The AWRA e-Mentoring Program now delivers this mentoring opportunity through a structured, supportive online portal designed to assist women to succeed in the resource industry,” Ms Diamond said. “AWRA aims to support 105 mentees and mentors through the program in the first year. The online platform will guide participants through important steps such as goal setting, developing an action plan and problems solving, while communicating online and by telephone.”

AWRA e-Mentoring is one of several new initiatives designed by the industry to get more Australians involved with resource employment.

Australia’s only industry-run careers website, AMMA miningoilandgasjobs.com connects employers directly with jobseekers. According to Ms Diamond more than 7000 registered resumes and 1700 vacant positions are now online. Another initiative of the AMMA is the Skills Connect apprenticeship program.

The e-Mentoring program is backed by the AWRA leadership committee comprising industry bodies, academics and resource employers including OZ Minerals, Newcrest Mining and Caltex Australia.

For more information visit the website: http://www.amma.org.au/awra/awra-e-mentoring