Critical job shortage looms in Australia’s mining sector

They are some of the most well-paid jobs in the county, yet despite this the country’s mining industry will suffer a dearth of qualified workers and need to fill around 21,000 new positions by 2024, according to a report recently released by the Australian Resources and Energy Group (AMMA). The forecast was completed by a variety of verified and modelling techniques and projected the number of new workers required to complete scheduled mining projects over the next four years. Finding an adequate workforce is imperative the report argues, considering the 57 mining projects that are either “committed” or considered “likely” by the Australian Government’s Department of Industry and worth a hefty $41 billion. In total all projects will require 20,767 on-site mining workers by 2024. The VET sector will no doubt play a critical role in creating an adequate workforce for 2024, comprising 8,666 mining plant operators; 2,847 heavy diesel fitters; 970 electrical, mechanical and maintenance trades; 4,180 technicians, engineers, geologists and related professionals; and 4,110 supervisors, managers, administrative staff and “blue-collar” workers. Understanding future workforce demand and undertaking workforce planning strategies is vital in helping government in “directing skills and labour mobility issues”, AMMA chief executive Steve Knott said. “Australia’s mining industry is facing new workforce demand at levels not seen since the previous investment and construction boom,” he said. “While demand across the next four years will be far steadier than the unprecedented growth we saw in 2005–12, it is clear that securing the pipeline of skills to support mining project growth to 2024 will be a significant challenge. “This challenge must be met head-on, collaboratively, by industry and government. Employers, peak industry bodies and state and federal governments are united in our desire to be well prepared for the workforce demands of this next phase of industry growth. “We must avoid a scenario where nationally significant mining projects are delayed by skills shortages, or competing for engineers, trades and skilled operators with the $100 billion worth of public infrastructure projects reportedly in Australia’s pipeline.” Analysis shows that Western Australia will require the biggest new mining workforce demand, with some 10,679 mining employees required to complete 30 projects. Demand for iron ore continues to grow in the state, followed by lithium, gold and copper. Similarly, Queensland will require a large number of new mining employees, with 5,714 needed to complete several coal projects forecast for completion over the next four years. Complicating the jobs shortage, however, is the fact that the AMMA has focused on trying to make its mining job projections "highly conservative". “We have put forward the minimum likely number of new on-site workers our industry will demand over the next four years, based on projects already committed or very advanced in feasibility studies,” knott said. “This conservative approach also factors in automation, remote operating centres, closure of ageing mining projects and other factors that could impact workforce availability in the near future. “Should a number of projects considered ‘possible’ in the mining project pipeline become committed, AMMA’s forecasted new workforce demand of 21,000 by 2024 could be exceeded very significantly.”