Australian Training Alliance's position regarding the BHP Billiton expansion delay

Justin Scripps, the CEO of Australian Training Alliance provides commentary here on the ATA's position regarding the BHP Billiton Olympic Dam expansion delay and what it means for South Australia.

In light of BHP Billiton’s decision yesterday to delay the expansion of Olympic Dam, it is important to put things into perspective regarding the current state of the mining industry in South Australia.

As a key training and recruitment supply stakeholder in the industry, please find listed below some key thoughts regarding ATA’s position:

1. The effect of the BHP expansion was going to place unrealistic expectations on our economy’s ability to train and supply the State’s mining industry with a competently skilled workforce
2. This delay will in fact, be beneficial in bringing the supply v demand of SA mining industry job openings back to a manageable level.
3. The BHP Billiton expansion of Olympic Dam is only 1 of 30 projects in advanced stage of development in SA. The combination of other projects are estimated to have greater net worth than the Olympic Dam expansion.
4. There are still 20 other mines currently in operation that still have constant staff attraction and retention issues and in need of new skilled candidates.
5. There is estimated to be job openings of 10,000 positions, excluding the BHP expansion.

We believe that this delay provides a great opportunity for the industry and South Australians to build a strong foundation of skills in a measured way that, in the long run, will provide greater productivity in a more realistic and stable timeframe.