The award-winning 'Oothungs in Mining' program is a unique collaboration between Wesfarmers Curragh, contractor Thiess and The Salvation Army Employment Plus. Designed to maximise employment opportunities for Indigenous women in the mining sector, the traineeship program gives participants a valuable sense of achievement.
The 'Oothungs in Mining' program aims to change lives and empower Indigenous women to determine their own future. It is one of only a few traineeship programs in the mining industry dedicated to providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with a clear path to overcome the various barriers they face when trying to enter the mining industry.
The current program is the second ‘Oothungs in Mining’ program to be run at the Curragh mine, with a total of 22 participants over the two programs. It is a unique program which has created a sustainable entry pathway for Indigenous women into the mining industry, breaking down stereotypes and contributing to a more inclusive culture.
The positive effect this program is having on the lives of Indigenous women was recognised with two prestigious awards: the Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance Award (at the Queensland Resources Council and Women in Mining and Resources Awards) and the Industry Collaboration Award (2015 National Training Awards).