HUNDREDS of Far Northern women are rushing to jobs in the mining sector, earning big money across a range of roles.

With jobs ranging from chefs to construction workers, operators of heavy machinery or working in trade areas such as electricians, Cairns Chamber of Commerce resource and industrial taskforce chairwoman Sharon Dawson said with high demand for skilled workers, more women were getting involved in fly-in, fly-out workforces.
Ms Dawson said there was a lot of awareness in the resources industry that women provided good and reliable workers.

"In reality there are not enough men available," she said. "Women are very good operators. They are better drivers than men and are far more gentle on machinery."

About 1500 of the 6000 people who attended the Cairns Mining Jobs Expo at the Cairns Convention Centre last month were women.

Member for Cairns Desley Boyle said the level of female interest at the Cairns expo was "terrific". "Women who attended expressed enthusiasm in seizing work opportunities in the mining sector," she said. "Gone is the ‘big toys for big boys’ way of thinking. Many women indicated an interest in heavy machinery tickets, including licences to operate an excavator, bobcat, front end loader, forklift, backhoe or dozer. "From chefs to construction workers, electricians to engineers, the resources industry is seeking people, male and female, with a wide range of skills."

Minister for Women Karen Struthers said Tropical North Queensland TAFE career advisers could help female jobseekers with courses available to help secure a future in mining and resource