As part of the Queensland Government’s $2.8 million Women in Industry grants program, $625,000 is available to support women entering and leading in male-dominated industries, such as mining.
The $625,000 worth of grants is available under two categories, with the first being up to $150,000 for longer term structural change projects designed to reduce barriers and increase inclusion. The second is up to $20,000 for smaller scale projects or events to support connection and awareness.
Deputy Premier Cameron Dick says programs of this nature help to empower Queensland women.
“Investments like these help women, and will boost labour supply and productivity in rapidly growing industries,” he says
The government says there is an unequal distribution of women in construction, mechanical, manufacturing, energy, and resources, and that these industries also are key drivers of the gender pay gap.
Premier Steven Miles says these grants will help unlock economic potential for women and use the skills of all Queenslanders.
“We are supporting better inclusion of women in sectors important to our growing economy, through our workforce strategy and targeted initiatives such as the Women in Manufacturing Strategy and our commitment to develop a Women in Renewables Strategy, under the Equal by 30 campaign,” he says.
As this news service previously reported, women’s full-time employment has increased over the past 20 years, as the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports there were 8,700 full-time employed women in August 2002 compared to 45,000 in August 2022.
Despite an increase in women in mining, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy reports 85% of female respondents said gender inequality is still present.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Queensland Resources Council
