Resources sites see tripling in female trade starts

The number of women starting an apprenticeship or traineeship in Queensland’s resources sector has tripled over the past 10 years, new figures show. The figures from Queensland’s Department of Employment, Small Business and Training also reveal the completion rate for apprentices and trainees in resources sits well above the national average. Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the results reflected the work being done to build a diversified, skilled workforce in the resources sector. Related: More women taking up the tools at BMA mines “Over the 10-year period from 2013/14 to 2022/23, the number of females starting an apprenticeship or traineeship with resources companies operating in Queensland has more than tripled,” Mr Macfarlane said. “Women now account for 35 per cent of total apprentice and trainee commencements in Queensland’s resources sector, up from 11 per cent 10 years ago. “In the same period, the percentage of Indigenous trainees and apprentices in the resources sector rose from 13 to 18 per cent, which we’re very pleased to see. “Our industry is already the biggest private employer of Indigenous women and men in Queensland, and we want to continue to see these numbers grow. “This is a terrific testament to the work being done by resources companies to diversify their workforce to better reflect the communities in which they operate and increase the number of skilled workers available for companies to employ.” QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane. He said the latest figures also showed young women and Indigenous people were completing their apprenticeship or traineeship with Queensland resources companies at much higher rates than the national average. “85 per cent of females and 82 per cent of Indigenous men and women in Queensland are completing their courses and setting themselves up on a path to a rewarding career in resources sector," he said. “Across our sector, the completion rate for apprentices and trainees sits at 76 per cent, which is around 20 per cent higher than the national average for all industries.” Related: Campaign to tap Gen Z for resources talent pool The QRC's educational arm, the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), runs workshops and programs to support the pipeline of new apprentices in Queensland’s resources sector. The ‘Tradies for a Day’ workshops are held across Queensland and the intensive six day ‘Oresome Trades’ camps in Mount Isa and Central Queensland are used as part of the recruitment process for major resources companies like BMA, Glencore and Anglo American. The QRC’s recently launched Shape Your Future, Innovate Our World campaign aims to attract Gen Z’s attention to jobs in the resources sector. Image at top of page: BMA apprentices Venna Baggow, front, Chloe Tougher, left, (third year) and Lea Beissmann, right. Picture by Luke Marsden.

Resources sites see tripling in female trade starts

Industry Queensland

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