The Crisafulli Government has announced A$500,000 in funding to support the Women in Resources: Empowering Development (WIRED) pilot program, delivered through the Queensland Resources Council (QRC). The investment targets mining workforce development by upskilling and reskilling women into advanced, site-based operator and technician roles across Queensland mining operations.
Figure 1: Female engineer at a construction and resources site representing growing participation of women in mining and technical roles [Courtesy: Freepik]
The announcement comes as Queensland’s resources sector contributes more than A$44 billion to the economy and supports more than 82,000 jobs, many of them in regional areas. The WIRED program is expected to launch in mid-2026, with early engagement across the sector already underway.
Targeted Training Across Operator, Technician, and Supervisor Roles
The WIRED program is designed to address skills gaps in Queensland mining by focusing on roles that have historically seen lower female representation. Targeted training will be delivered for machinery operators, plant technicians, and site supervisors, with a specific focus on supporting women who are transitioning into higher-level operator and technician positions.
Mining workforce development is at the centre of the program’s design. Rather than entry-level pathways, WIRED focuses on advancing women who are already working on site into more senior, higher-paid roles. This approach is intended to strengthen both retention and long-term career progression within the resources sector.
Government and Industry Voice on the Mining Grants Queensland Initiative
Minister Bates and QRC CEO Hewson Outline the Program’s Purpose
Queensland Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates framed the investment as a direct response to workforce shortages that had developed over the previous decade. She said the funding was about backing one of Queensland’s core economic sectors with the skilled workforce it needs to keep growing.
Figure 2: Queensland Minister Ros Bates speaking at a public event, announcing support for women in the resources sector [Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons]
Minister Bates stated:
“We are making sure women have clear, practical pathways into higher-skilled, higher-paid roles on site.”
She added: “When you expand opportunities in a A$44 billion industry, you strengthen the entire economy.”
QRC Chief Executive Officer Janette Hewson described the WIRED program as central to the Council’s broader push to attract and retain exceptional talent in Queensland mining. She said the program is specifically designed to enable and retain women in technician and operator roles so they can move into site-based leadership positions.
Figure 3: QRC Chief Executive Officer Janette Hewson, highlighting industry support for workforce development in Queensland mining [Courtesy: Queensland Resources Council]
Ms Hewson stated:
“Our vision is an industry where women with technical skills have a clear pathway to more senior roles and can thrive in these roles long-term.”
She added: “By supporting women who are working on site, we create a workplace culture where everyone can thrive.”
A A$44 Billion Sector Facing Skills Pipeline Pressure
Queensland mining is one of the state’s most significant economic contributors, generating more than A$44 billion annually and sustaining more than 82,000 jobs. A substantial portion of that employment is concentrated in regional Queensland, where the resources sector serves as a primary driver of local economies.
The Crisafulli Government has identified critical workforce shortages and weak industry engagement as key challenges inherited from the previous administration. The WIRED program and its mining grants Queensland funding structure represent the government’s response to rebuilding the skills pipeline in one of the state’s most productive sectors.
Industry Outlook
Mining workforce development is an increasingly prominent focus across Australia as the resources sector navigates a structural shift toward critical minerals, automation, and energy transition projects. Queensland mining, in particular, is well positioned to benefit from sustained commodity demand, but requires a deeper and more diverse skills base to capitalise on that opportunity.
Programs such as WIRED reflect a broader industry recognition that expanding the participation of women in technical and operational roles is both a productivity imperative and a long-term workforce strategy. Mining grants Queensland initiatives of this kind are expected to become more common as state governments look to address skills gaps through targeted, industry-partnered investment.
Future Direction and Impact on Mining Workforce Development
The WIRED pilot program is expected to launch in mid-2026, with outcomes from the pilot set to inform whether the initiative is extended or scaled. For those following Queensland mining and mining workforce development trends, the program’s early results will be an important indicator of how effectively targeted training can shift workforce composition in site-based roles.
The A$500,000 commitment signals the Crisafulli Government’s intention to work directly with industry bodies such as the QRC to address skills gaps through practical, on-the-ground programs rather than broad-based policy. If the WIRED pilot delivers measurable outcomes, it could serve as a template for similar mining grants Queensland initiatives targeting other underrepresented groups across the resources sector.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the WIRED program and how does it support Queensland mining?
Ans. The Women in Resources: Empowering Development (WIRED) program is a Queensland Government initiative delivered through the Queensland Resources Council to upskill women for advanced site roles such as machinery operators, plant technicians, and supervisors in Queensland mining operations.
Q2. How much has the Queensland Government committed to the WIRED program?
Ans. The Crisafulli Government has committed A$500,000 to the WIRED pilot program. This mining grants Queensland investment will be delivered through the Queensland Resources Council and is expected to support the program’s launch in mid-2026.
Q3. What roles does the WIRED program target for women in Queensland mining?
Ans. The program targets higher-skilled, site-based roles including machinery operators, plant technicians, and site supervisors. The focus is on supporting women who are already working on site to transition into more senior operator and technician positions within Queensland mining.
Q4. When will the WIRED program launch?
Ans. The WIRED pilot program is expected to launch in mid-2026. Early engagement across the Queensland mining sector has already commenced as of the announcement date.
Q5. Why is mining workforce development a priority for Queensland?
Ans. Queensland’s resources sector contributes more than A$44 billion to the economy and supports more than 82,000 jobs. Mining workforce development has become a priority following identified skills shortages, and mining grants Queensland programs such as WIRED are designed to rebuild the skills pipeline in critical sectors.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. All content is based on publicly available announcements from the Queensland Government and the Queensland Resources Council. Readers should conduct their own research and seek independent advice before making any decisions based on information in this article. Colitco does not hold any position in the organisations mentioned.
Sources
Queensland Government
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/104664
Australian Mining — Queensland backs women in resources with half-million-dollar skills push https://www.australianmining.com.au/queensland-backs-women-in-resources-with-half-million-dollar-skills-push/
Freepik — Female engineers working at site (women in mining concept image)
https://www.freepik.com/free-ai-image/female-engineers-working_236374300.htm
Wikimedia Commons — Ros Bates image
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/RosBatesT1.jpg
Queensland Resources Council — Janette Hewson image
https://www.qrc.org.au/media/cache/705xauto/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/4/9/DYbvTSX8hsVaqk93/janette-hewson-blue.jpg
