SA

Skills Queensland and Kinetic Group have teamed up to undertake a research project aimed at tackling the shortage of workers in statutory roles across the resources sector.

Kinetic Group Chief Executive Officer Derek Hunter said skills shortages already exist across the industry and the turnover and increasing demand for key statutory roles is a serious concern for companies.

West Australia's newspaper, The Weekend West featured sound advice - collected from senior HR representatives from companies like Rio Tinto and Calibre Global - this past weekend on landing a job in the Australian mining industry:

Have you ever wondered what industry and government are doing about filling the skills shortage void?  We have the definitive guide for you here.

If the 272 projects in the pipeline in mining, oil and gas are to proceed, Australia needs skills and lots of them.  The number of new entrants required for the Australian resource sector fluctuates anywhere between 70,000 to 200,000, depending on which latest government, industry or media report you read.

Recommendation 1.1 – Workforce impact statements, including sources of labour and training plans, for large projects

This initiative is being lead by theDepartment of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE).

Recommendation 2.1 – Increasing the number of apprentices in the resources sector

This initiative is being lead by the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) and Australian Petroleum Production Exploration Association (APPEA).                            

Recommendation 3.1 – Ties between universities and the resources and construction industries to be formalised and strengthened

This initiative is being led by Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE).

Recommendation 4.1 – Improving information and support available for employers wishing to use the subclass 457 visa program

This initiative is being led by theDepartment of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).           

DIAC will develop Fact Sheets and implement a five day assessment process in consultation with industry and unions.

In addition, the Australian Federal Government has announced a range of changes designed to ease migration restrictions.

Recommendation 5.1 – National strategy to enhance language, literacy and numeracy skills of job seekers

This initiative is being led by the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE).

DIISRTE will chair the Foundation Skills Working Group to develop the National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults. The strategy will be submitted to the Standing Council on Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment (SCOTESE) at the end of 2011.

Recommendation 6.1 – Marketing kit to promote career pathways and jobs

This initiative is being led by the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) and Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA).       

Recommendation 7.1 – Housing shortages in regions affected by resources operations and feeder cities

This initiative is being led by theDepartment of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC).