The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) has announced the finalists for the 2014 Women in Resources Awards.
CME Chief Executive Reg Howard-Smith was pleased to announce the individuals and the company initiatives selected as finalists for the awards, which will be presented at a breakfast on 7 March, ahead of International Women’s Day celebrations.
“Now in its fifth year, the awards continue to attract outstanding nominations. The awards celebrate both the inspirational women we have working here in Western Australia, and the effort of companies in the sector to improve participation of women in our workforce,” said Mr Howard-Smith.
CME’s 2013 Diversity in Resources Survey found that 19 per cent of the Western Australian resources sector workforce are women. The survey revealed that the percentage of women employed in professional and managerial roles had improved in recent years.
“While women make up 43 per cent of the total Western Australian workforce, there remains great potential for the resources sector to tap into this segment of the population for its future workforce needs,” said Mr Howard-Smith.
“Women in leadership roles will inspire other women to explore a career in the resources sector,” said Mr Howard-Smith.
Members of the public are encouraged to visit the CME website to read more detail about each finalist and vote for the person you feel has made the most outstanding contribution to the resources sector.
The categories and finalists for the CME Women in Resources Awards 2014 are:
Outstanding Company Initiative
- BHP Billiton Iron Ore – Kworp Kooling Mining Skills Program
Kworp Kooling is a residential program that provides training in haul truck operations to prepare Indigenous women without resources sector experience for a seamless transition to site.
- Newcrest Mining Ltd – Diversity Digital Stories
The Newcrest Diversity Digital Stories are the result of Newcrest's desire to provide better insight into the level of gender diversity within its organisation.
- St Barbara Ltd – Eliminating the Equity Pay Gap
St Barbara has implemented a systematic and sustainable approach to reduce the pay equity gap. From a standing-start in 2007, St Barbara now has in place a board approved human resources strategy to address the gender equity pay gap that is hard-wired to the company’s business strategy.
Outstanding Technician/Operator/Trade Woman
- Emma Stevenson (BHP Billiton Nickel West)
- Erin Kinnealy (Iluka Resources)
- Nellie McGowan (BHP Billiton Iron Ore)
Outstanding Young Woman in Resources
- Ellen Coates (BHP Billiton Iron Ore)
- Heidi Edwards (Rio Tinto Iron Ore)
- Suanlee Heng (BHP Billiton Nickel West)
Outstanding Woman in Resources
- Kyra Bonney (McConnell Dowell)
- Lara Bruhns (BHP Billiton Nickel West)
- Rachel Mottram (Alcoa of Australia)
- Rubini Ventouras (Newmont Asia Pacific)
Women in Resources Champion
- Mark Bevan (BHP Billiton Iron Ore)
- Stuart Forrester (Iluka Resources)
- Rowena Smith (BHP Billiton Nickel West)
