UNIQ You is proud to announce its Major Partnership with Rio Tinto, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s mission to connect Year 9-12 high school girls with women working in male-dominated industries, increasing their exposure, access to, and confidence in engaging with careers and pathways they might not have considered viable options due to their gender.
After three successful years working with industries such as Construction, Electricity, Gas Water and Waste, UNIQ You is thrilled to have the leading global mining group become their second major growth partner, and their first major mining partner. The partnership also enables the UNIQ You to launch into Western Australia in 2025, supporting the next stage of their national growth plan.
Recent figures from Job and Skills Australia (August 2024) noted there were 300,700 people employed in Australia’s mining industry, yet only 21% of these employees were women. This gender disparity is a key reason for the partnerships, as both organisations are committed to increase female representation within the mining sector.
Through this partnership, UNIQ You will engage a number of passionate women within Rio Tinto to become Advisors available for real time career conversations. The Advisors are role models and mentors, representing the diverse range of roles across the organisation, with differing backgrounds and career journeys, enabling them to bust myths and stereotypes within the industry.
The UNIQ You service helps to foster interest, knowledge and confidence in high school girls by enabling them to access unlimited virtual real time conversations with women in male-dominated industries. By connecting students with women across industries, the program is creating a supportive community that encourages diversity and breaks down the barriers that often discourage young girls from pursuing careers in male-dominated fields.
UNIQ You CEO Val Ridley shares:
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Rio Tinto as a major growth partner and our first mining partner. By working with Rio Tinto we know we can break stereotypes, bust myths and expand career thinking in high school girls and those who surround them. We know the skills shortages and performance gaps that exist now will only increase in the future without supporting more girls to enter traditionally male dominated industries. The women at Rio Tinto will be role models, showing students that the mining industry is one where women can thrive and lead.”
As part of this partnership, students at UNIQ You’s partner schools will gain access to an ever growing library of Advisors from many different disciplines, opening up new pathways and inspiring the next generation of leaders. UNIQ You is confident that this collaboration with Rio Tinto is an important step to growing the pipeline of students who are interested in entering the mining sector while also encouraging young girls to pursue careers in a variety of male-dominated industries.
To learn more about the UNIQ You program, how it empowers high school girls, and the impact of partnerships like Rio Tinto, please visit www.uniqyou.com.au.