IronPlanet : In the News: January 17-23

Check out some interesting industry headlines from this week.

Walmart Foundation Grant Gives Women Chance to Try Construction (Daily Iowegian)
' Iowa Workforce Development, IowaWORKS and Hawkeye Community College are using a Walmart Foundation Grant in the amount of $75,000 to introduce low-income Iowa women to construction jobs. According to the latest 'PROMISE JOBS Employment and Wage Report', construction is the second highest paying industry for men enrolled in the PROMISE JOBS program. However, a demographic breakdown, by gender, of individuals working in this occupation indicates that females represent only 2.3 percent of the workforce. Data also indicates this is an industry showing growth in projected openings and wages. Specifically for Heavy Equipment Operators, the average hourly wage is $20.84 per hour.' Read more

Caterpillar Names First Woman to Top Ranks (Wall Street Journal)
'Caterpillar Inc., long run by male lifers, named a woman whose experience is mostly outside the equipment maker to head its weakest business, mining machinery. The Peoria, Ill.-based company appointed Denise Johnson, 49 years old, as group president of resource industries, the division that makes mining equipment, effective April 1. Ms. Johnson, previously vice president responsible for the material handling division, is the first woman to reach the group president level at Caterpillar. The five group presidents report to Doug Oberhelman, chairman and chief executive.'Read more

Iranian Markets Offer Rewards and Risks for Canadian Exporters (The Globe and Mail)
'The lifting of Canadian sanctions against Iran could create significant opportunities for Canadian businesses, but these will not occur overnight and firms courageous enough to go there will face a controlled and sometimes corrupt economy.' Read more

India to Host Mega Mining Exhibition in Kolkata in Feb (Avenue Mail)
'India's mining industry set to reach $36 billion to open up commercial coal mining to private companies with the aim of shifting the world's third largest coal importer towards energy self-sufficiency. A mega conference, the 6th International Mining, Exploration, Mineral Processing Technology, Metals & Machinery Exhibition, is scheduled from February 24 -27 at the Eco Park, New Town, Rajarhat, Kolkata, with this aim.' Read More