The Government has released a new strategy aimed at helping Australians to take up jobs in resources industries and ensure the country has the skilled workers needed to meet future demand.
Australia’s resources sector represents half of all exports and directly employs over 260,000 people, while supporting more than one million other jobs across the economy.
Statistics from the Federal Government indicate that, despite the pandemic, employment in the sector grew by 8.5 percent between February and November last year, creating over 20,000 new jobs. This growth trajectory is expected to continue.
Resources minister Keith Pitt said the new National Resources Workforce Strategy demonstrates the support being given by the Government to the thriving sector, as well as the career opportunities available.
“There are opportunities across both cities and regions, with employees working in hi-vis [vests], lab coats and office spaces. This strategy supports Australians to get the skills needed to take up these jobs,” the minister said.
“The resources sector has been a standout through the global Covid pandemic. It has continued to grow despite the pandemic and border disruptions, at a time when it is more important than ever that Australians have access to jobs and opportunities.
“We particularly want to ensure that people living in regional communities have opportunities to study, train and upskill to take up these jobs,” Pitt emphasised.
In a statement, the minister’s office said the National Resources Workforce Strategy complements the JobMaker plan and brings together education and training initiatives to support participation and future growth.
Part of strategy provides $30-million to establish a new School of Mining and Manufacturing at the Central Queensland University, which is headquartered in Rockhampton but with campuses in every mainland state.
A further $585.3-million is being invested in vocational education and training through the Delivering Skills for Today and Tomorrow package. The package includes a Mining Skills Organisation pilot program.
Other elements of the strategy include working with industry to plan for job creation and skills demand; increasing the availability of resources-related training, and providing opportunities, particularly for women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to engage with resources careers.
“The sector relies on certain skills to unlock new resources potential and productivity and to maintain our status as a world-leading supplier of resources and energy,” the minister said.