Literature Review: Diversity and Inclusion in the Resources Sector

This literature review has been undertaken as part of a broader study by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) to address skills shortages and create job opportunities for under-represented groups in the mining and energy workforce. The literature review aims to examine existing research and academic literature to understand the current state of knowledge in diversity and inclusion of under-represented workforce groups such as women, First Nations Peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), neurodiverse backgrounds and social enterprise groups (such as refugees and veterans).

Its overall objectives are threefold:

• To source and review the peer-reviewed research and literature (published 2018-2023) in journals and relevant reports) on the current state of scholarship in the areas of diversity and inclusion with regards to under-represented groups within the resources sector;

• To identify the key challenges and barriers facing those from under-represented groups within the mining and energy sectors;

• To determine the existing diversity and inclusion tools and initiatives used by employers in the resources and energy sectors to open up opportunities for those groups who have not traditionally been represented within this industry.

To this end, the literature review will assist in determining best practice relating to how under-presented groups might best be attracted, retained and supported within the industry.