News

• Albemarle hosts regional female students at the Inspiring Girls Careers Forum
• The annual event links young females to potential pathways in the resources sector

A select group of students from Our Lady of Mercy College in Australind were given direct access to career role models from Albemarle recently, at a forum promoting resource industry careers.

The 11 female students were invited to the 2023 Inspiring Girls Careers Forum by Albemarle, as part of the company’s ongoing support for educational initiatives promoting STEM studies and careers.

Albemarle is Australia’s largest producer and manufacturer of lithium, with lithium hydroxide from the company’s Kemerton plant earmarked for future production of millions of electric vehicles.

The forum, organised by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and held at Optus Stadium in Perth last week, was attended by more than 200 female secondary students keen to explore opportunities in the resources sector.

The Year 11 and 12 students and a teacher from Our Lady of Mercy College were hosted by four female leaders from Albemarle, all with diverse career paths into the clean energy field including engineering, finance, plant operations and human resources.

Albemarle HR Director Kristy Carter said the forum was a great opportunity for students to connect directly with accomplished and inspiring women from across the company.

“Our mentors volunteered to be hosts at the forum because they know how important it is to support and nurture the next generation of female talent and to promote diversity in all its forms,” Ms Carter said.

“Empowering young women with aspirations in traditionally male-dominated industries is vital, and one of the best ways to do this is to hear about the lived experiences direct from our people.”

Ms Carter said that Albemarle regularly participated in a range of school career days, local and metropolitan career expos and events such as the Inspiring Girls Forum to spread the message about clean energy jobs and careers with the company.

“We were particularly pleased to host the students from Our Lady of Mercy College in Australind because Albemarle is part of the local community,” she said.

“Albemarle is a major employer in the South West and the $2 billion expansion of our Kemerton plant will create more than 1000 jobs in construction and hundreds more in future operations.

“Our priority in filling all roles is always local recruitment and we hope that some of the students who attended the forum with us this year will eventually go on to become our future employees.”

In addition to direct access to industry mentors, the half-day forum also featured engaging discussions, hands-on resources-related activities by Australian Earth Science Education, speed career sessions and a careers exhibition providing students with valuable insights into rewarding and challenging aspects of work in the resource sector.

For more information about Albemarle’s Apprenticeship and Graduate Programs and career prospects visit www.albemarle.au/careers or call 1300 021 983.