Research project makes welcome mat for diversity in mining and energy
Interpreters in job interviews, gender-specific safety gear, and pairing neurodiverse employees with a work ‘buddy’ – these are some of the best-practice procedures Queensland’s resources companies can tap into, to improve workplace diversity across the $94.6 billion sector.
The ideas feature in a new Queensland Resources Council (QRC) project to create job opportunities for groups currently under-represented in the mining and energy workforce.
Supported by CQUniversity Human Resource Management academics, the Resources WIDE (Workforce Inclusion & Diversity Engagement) initiative aims to make the sector a “rich mosaic of diverse people, ideas, backgrounds, genders, lifestyles and talents”.
That’s according to the project’s Digital Hub, offering supportive resources to guide diversity and inclusivity initiatives for organisations operating in the resources sector.
QRC Chief Executive Officer Janette Hewson said the hub will help resources sector employers to better attract, retain and advance people from diverse backgrounds.
It builds on previous work to increase female representation within the sector. Women currently make up a record 22 per cent of the Queensland resources workforce.
The research-informed content was developed by Professor Huong Le and Dr Upamali Amarakoon from CQUniversity, in response to findings from industry specific research and surveys conducted for the Resources WIDE project.
Professor Le said the research identified gaps, needs, and best practices for diversity and inclusion across the sector.
“Our multi-phase research informed a survey for resources companies in Queensland, to examine the issues and what has been done in the sector, and challenges for further progress”.
“The findings, based on more than 220 responses and in-depth interviews with employees and managers in the Queensland resources sector, helped us develop Resources WIDE’s relevant online tools and case studies, working iteratively to ensure they were practical for industry’s needs.”
The QRC also worked with social enterprise not-for-profit Social Traders to develop a maturity survey, housed on the site.
Ms Hewson said Resources WIDE aimed to make the Queensland sector a more inclusive place.
“The modern Queensland resources sector provides great career opportunities for tens of thousands of Queenslanders and it’s important that those opportunities are available to people from all backgrounds,” she said.
“That includes women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, veterans, refugees, and neurodiverse people.”
Resources WIDE was supported by $963,000 funding through the Queensland Government’s Workforce Connect Fund.
Professor Le led the research with Dr Amarakoon and CQUniversity’s Research Fellows Dr Jennifer Veres and Dr Jade McKay.
To find out more, explore the Resources WIDE Digital Platform here.
