The Blog

The Blog enables Australian Resource Sector Employers and members of our Expert Panel to communicate information about jobs, projects, sites, awarded contracts, terms and conditions, career tips and advice, and on a range of other topics that can't always be shared on traditional career websites and print advertising. As a job seeker, this enables you to keep abreast of movements and opportunities in the industry.

Oil and Gas industry launches the Common Safety Training Program

On 25 March, Australia's oil and gas industry launched a new safety training program, initially for new employees working on offshore drilling and production sites.  The Common Safety Training Program (CSTP) is a major initiative of the APPEA CEO Safety Leadership Forum (an annual coming together of the industry's chief executives and managing directors to talk about safety and only about safety.

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By Miranda Taylor, Director Skills and Safety at APPEA Ltd on 29 May 10
TAGS: Blue Collar, National, ACT, Managerial, NSW, Professional, NT, Student/Graduate, QLD, Trainee / Apprentice, Other, SA, TAS, VIC, WA

Preparing for a growing energy workforce

The National Resources Sector Employment Taskforce, chaired by the Hon. Gary Gray AO MP, Parliament Secretary for Western and Northern Australia, released its discussion paper in March and has been travelling across Australia holding a series of consultation forums. 

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By Miranda Taylor, Director Skills and Safety at APPEA Ltd on 29 May 10
TAGS: Blue Collar, National, ACT, Managerial, NSW, Professional, NT, Student/Graduate, QLD, Trainee / Apprentice, Other, SA, TAS, VIC, WA

Downer awarded preferred tenderer on Fortescue Christmas Creek contract

Downer EDI Limited (Downer) this week announced they have been awarded preferred tenderer status on a $3 billion six-year contract with Fortescue Metals Group Limited, for the provision of mining services at its Christmas Creek operation in the east Pilbara Region of Western Australia.

Contract negotiations for the project are still to be completed but are expected to be finalised in June 2010, with project commencement scheduled for July 2010.

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By Jody Elliott, Director at The Resource Channel on 22 May 10
TAGS: Blue Collar, Managerial, Professional, WA

Queensland government delivers significant training initiative for new careers in CSG-LNG

The Queensland Government has announced a $10m flagship training program that will assist Queenslanders begin new careers in the Queensland coal seam gas (CSG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry.

The CSG-LNG industry will provide a range of highly skilled employment opportunities and this training program will provide local communities access to the training they need to enter the workforce.

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By Jody Elliott, Director at The Resource Channel on 22 May 10
TAGS: Blue Collar, Managerial, Professional, Student/Graduate, QLD, Trainee / Apprentice, Other

Fluor preferred EPC contractor for Santos’ GLNG

Santos - Gladstone LNG (GLNG) operator - has announced Fluor Australia as the preferred upstream engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the project.

Santos will extend Fluor’s current engineering design contract to include early works activities worth $50 million in anticipation of a final investment decision, which would allow official award of the EPC contract.

The GLNG upstream scope comprises all coal seam gas and associated water gathering and processing infrastructure for both the Fairview and Roma fields.

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By Jody Elliott, Director at The Resource Channel on 22 May 10
TAGS: Managerial, Professional, QLD

Critical Skills Investment Fund

Off the back of the Government’s formation of the National Resources Sector Employment Taskforce, we’re starting to see a number of initiatives being planned and/or launched which are aimed to address the skills gap and to make training more accessible to existing employees and those seeking an entry level opportunity.

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By Jody Elliott, Director at The Resource Channel on 21 May 10
TAGS: Blue Collar, National, Managerial, Professional, Student/Graduate, Trainee / Apprentice, Other

New Skilled Migration Eligibility List released

On Monday 17 May, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, the Hon Chris Evans, released the new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for independent skilled migration.

Only people with relevant qualifications in occupations listed on the SOL will be eligible for independent general skilled migration (as distinct from employer or state-sponsored temporary migration visas) as of 1 July 2010. Of particular relevance to our industry are the following:

233212 Geotechnical engineer
233111 Chemical engineer
233611 Mining engineer (excluding petroleum)
233915 Environmental engineer

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By Jody Elliott, Director at The Resource Channel on 21 May 10
TAGS: National, Managerial, Professional, Other

Decmil Awarded A$82M Contract for Fortescue Metals Group Christmas Creek Accommodation Village

We have had a number of questions this week from subscribers asking about potential work opportunities in the North West of WA, so we lead those with this question to a recent announcement from Decmil Australia.

Decmil Australia is a leading provider of engineering construction, maintenance and industrial services to Australia's resources, energy and infrastructure sectors. Employing more than 900 staff and contractors across Australia, their project capabilities and experienced workforce has seen them continually expand their operations.

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By Lisa Costa, Director at The Resource Channel on 19 May 10
TAGS: Blue Collar, Managerial, Professional, WA

Project Status Update

Projects obviously move through different stages, which means contracting work can ebb and flow accordingly.

With AusGroup’s (AGC) work now winding down on Woodside’s Pluto Project, they will soon ramp up their recruitment drive for the 300 trades required for modular assembly work for BHP Billiton’s Yandi minesite. Specifically, AGC will require riggers and pipe fitters starting in June/July.

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By Jody Elliott, Director at The Resource Channel on 14 May 10
TAGS: Blue Collar, Professional, WA

Inpex to delay FID on Ichthys

Inpex yesterday announced that they will not make a final investment decision on the $US20b Ichthys liquefied natural gas project this year as expected, and will also push back the original expected start-up.

A final investment decision was expected this year for construction of the project at Middle Arm Peninsula at Blaydin Point in Darwin Harbour and offshore Darwin. The first LNG shipment was scheduled for 2015 and the project was to generate more than 2,000 jobs during peak of the four year construction phase, with a full time workforce of around 300 during production.

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By Jody Elliott, Director at The Resource Channel on 14 May 10
TAGS: Blue Collar, Managerial, Professional, NT, Trainee / Apprentice, WA