WA's miners on track for diversified workforce
PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Findings from the Western Australian Chamber of Minerals and Energy's (CME's) latest diversity survey show that women make up some 18% of the state’s resources sector, while Indigenous workers accounted for a further 5.5% in 2015.
Between 2013 and 2015, the number of female workers in the mining sector decreased by 1%, with female participation falling mainly in management, clerical and administrative roles. Regardless of gender, these roles have been recently impacted as industry responds to changing commodity prices.
“Given women make up 44% of the total workforce in Western Australia this continues to be a significant underrepresentation. It is, however, reassuring to see given the current climate and decrease in employment that there has not been a significant negative change,” said CME CEO Reg Howard-Smith.
The survey found that women were most likely to be in professional, machine operator or clerical and administration roles within the mining industry.
“It was pleasing to see the percentage of female technicians, machine operator and trades-people actually increasing. In positive signs for the future, 26% of apprentices, trainees and graduates are female, an increase since 2013,” Howard-Smith said.
Meanwhile, Indigenous participation in the Western Australian mining sector has increased from the 4.2% reported in 2013, and Howard-Smith said that this result was particularly pleasing given the reduction in employment numbers across the sector.
“The resources sector clearly maintains the mantle of largest employer of Indigenous Australians,” he said.
“Whilst the survey provides some mixed results it is important for industry to examine the findings, take stock and respond to ensure workforce diversity continues to grow and to be a priority issue,” said Howard-Smith.
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