Building bridges industry-university: Successful stories of professionals in mining towards increasing women participation

Chile is one of the leading mining countries globally, and one of its expectations is to increase the number of women participating in this industry. To that aim, it is essential to study the strengths of the academic programs to offer guidance to bridge the gender gap, eliminate gender stereotypes, increase the number of women who complete their undergraduate programs in mining or metallurgy, and incorporate woman them into the industry (promotion). This study analyzes professionals' perspectives in this area to propose actions to increase female students' interest and integration into the mining industry. We focus on knowing the story of successful professionals who have assimilated into the industry and gathering their recommendations to increase women's participation in mining programs and jobs. Our research is a cross-sectional diagnostic study of the labor integration of women in mining and metallurgy professions. We interviewed professionals in the industry and the university to obtain their perceptions of activities or initiatives that will increase the percentages of women in mining fields. The study consisted of semi-structured interviews with professionals to learn how they entered their professions and what can be done to increase the participation of women in the mining industry. The interviewees were primarily 1) mining industry professionals, 2) academic program managers, and 3) part-time academicians and industry workers. The study results yielded initiatives and actions to be implemented by the industry, academia, and joint efforts. The action plans will promote the integration of women into the workplace and the championing by experienced leaders in the industries to boost women's participation. The story of successful professionals and their perspectives on women's labor integration into the mining and metallurgic professions are the basis of industry-university activities to promote women's orientation toward labor issues and professional development.