Clough focuses on women

ENGINEERING and construction company Clough has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia Women in Resources Awards.

Clough is one of four companies to be selected for the outstanding company initiative award, to be presented at a breakfast in Perth on March 8, coinciding with International Women’s Day.

Clough has been shortlisted for introducing generous maternity leave and flexible working conditions focused on output rather than hours to allow women to balance family and a career. Clough has also put in place executive mentoring and talent identification programs to boost the company’s female talent pipeline.

Along with a company award, 16 women have also been selected as finalists for the awards which recognise the outstanding contribution women make to the WA resources sector. “Apart from recognising individual excellence, the Women in Resources Awards promote positive role models in what is traditionally a male-dominated industry,” CME chief executive officer Reg Howard-Smith said.

According to research by CME, the number of women employed in the resources sector has grown from 18% to 22% of the total workforce in the past five years. The national female participation rate across all industries is 42%. “Perceptions are changing as more women recognise the benefits of a long-term career in mining, oil and gas and see the number of women progressing up the corporate ladder,” Howard-Smith said.

This year’s finalists include CEOs, engineers, electrical technicians, maintenance planners and schedulers. Woodside environmental engineer Katrina Bukauskas is one of the seven finalists for the Outstanding Young Professional Woman award.

From energynewsbulletin.net - 8/2/2012