Over its 14 years the number of female participants has risen from zero to nine, and this year they make up 29% of the class, which is almost double the industry average.
TAFE NSW regional general manager Susie George said resource companies were making considerable efforts to attract and retain women.
"TAFE NSW fully supports this and takes pride in our role of teaching, mentoring and encouraging our female students to become well-qualified and confident industry participants," she said.
"In developing the next generation of industry leaders, regardless of gender, a critical component is ensuring access to high quality education and training.
"We work closely with some of the Hunter's biggest employers to ensure we give all apprentices the abilities, knowledge and ‘seam to sea' exposure they need to be job-ready."
At the end of previous financial year only 16.7% of employees and 16.4% of key management personnel in the Australian mining industry were female. This is an improvement from 14.8% in 2017.
TAFE NSW Muswellbrook Mining Skills Program student Antonia Moncrieff is a 22-year-old first-year electrical apprentice from Stockton.
She is hosted by Port Waratah Coal Services and employed by Programmed Training Services.
"My experience has been absolutely positive," Moncrieff said.
"I haven't observed any men versus women dynamic, in every interaction we're just all working together to achieve a goal that benefits the company.
"All the tradesmen I come into contact with have enjoyed sharing their knowledge with me and just want to see me succeed."
Moncrieff said diversity brought different perspectives and problem solving skills.
"I believe women are excellent at resolving conflict and mentoring others, whether female or male," she said.
"I believe that's one of our strengths.
"Women bring lots of positive qualities and with an increase in our participation comes an increase in highly skilled people in the workplace."
NSW Women in Mining Network co-chair and BHP lead corporate affairs NSW Deirdra Tindale said increasing female participation in the sector had been found to significantly benefit mining companies and local communities.
"Companies are realising gender diversity is no longer simply a nice or a good thing to do, but the right thing to do - both for broader society and their own bottom lines," Tindale said.
"We have seen that diversity delivers improved productivity results, greater access to talent, stronger employee retention and reduced employee turnover.
"It is wonderful to hear that the TAFE NSW Muswellbrook Mining Skills Program is close to reaching a 1:3 ratio of males to females.
"This is positive progress and assists with working towards BHP's aspirational goal of 50-50 gender balance by 2025."
