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Girls in trade

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) is set to tackle the shortage of skilled trades people by encouraging more girls to take up a trade career.

The QRC has received a $10,000 grant from the Queensland Government’s Women in Hard Hats program to run workshops to promote trade career opportunities in the minerals and energy industry.

QRC Chief Executive Michael Roche said he was delighted to receive the funding, which would be matched by QRC and also provide scholarships for outstanding students who show a strong interest in taking up trade training.

“The QRC appreciates the strong support of the sector’s women’s initiatives by the Minister for Child Safety and Women Margaret Keech and looks forward to working with Queensland’s Office for Women on this venture,” he said.

“Women currently make up just 11% of our members’ workforce, and just 7% of workers in ‘non-traditional’ roles for women, such as trades,” Roche said.

“This initiative will hopefully encourage a largely un-tapped source of potential skilled workers to take up trades careers.”

The project will involve students who attend Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy Schools that are located throughout Queensland.

The girls will participate in forums where they will meet women already working in trades in the minerals and energy industry, and get first-hand experience of trades careers through visits to resource- company facilities.

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