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Mining Employment Issues In Australia
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By The Aussie Miner
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Can Money Compensate for Everything?
Great wages can be earned in the Australian mining industry; of this, there can be no doubt. What is troubling, however, is that people simply cannot be found to fill the vacancies which mining companies and industries generally have open. So is there any reason why people should not consider working in the mines? Is there a catch? The following article will profile this issue further.
A fantastic salary is available to virtually anyone wishing to work in the Australian mines. The figures people regularly see bandied about in newspapers are, in fact, a reliable snapshot of the earnings available. In one famous article, a store manager of a fast food franchise in Karratha WA, called Chicken Treat was paid $2000 per week to relocate from Perth. His accomodation (costing more than $500 per week) was included in the relocation package on top of the wage. Like the store mananger, earning a six-figure wage is a serious prospect for any Australian wishing to work in the Australian mines. And it does not matter whether you bring skills with you or are unskilled altogether.
The reasons behind the present growth in the mning industry varies depending on who you speak with. On the one hand, certain people suggest that growth can simply be aligned with the growth in China. More educated commentators suggest that the present need for workers, however, is a combined function of the vast deposits of minerals in australia; the growth in demand (from China and India, as well as other trading partners); and the tight regime which the government places on people wishing to work in Australia. The factors have given rise to a desire by mining companies to enlarge existing mines or to undertake additional exploration of Australian soil in an effort to open further mines.
The effects of the Australian mining boom can be seen in many areas of Australian l
ife. As an isolated example, James Packer is no longer the richest Australian! He was replaced in 2008 by Andrew Forrest; the head of Fortescue mining company. In addition, more and more Australians are deciding to get a slice of the action. But are enough Australians taking the plunge?
Earlier this year, The Minerals Council of Australia released an article which analysed how the mining industry will function in light of the present shortfall in employees up to the year 2020. The Council predicted in this article that the mining sector will need at least 80,000 more workers. The equivalent council in WA anticipates that several hundred thousand workers will be required in WA alone within that period. So, on any view, there is plenty of work!
So why is there a shortage of workers? There is obviously no definitive answer to this question, but anectodal evidence sheds some light. People who work in the mines tend to have specific goals in travelling to the mines. Most tend to travel there for a limited amount of time, many just wanting to work for long enough to repay a debt or to save for a deposit on a house. This, of course, leads to a large attrition rate which in times of accelerated growth (like now) can give rise to a shortfall in workers. Added to this, the work in the mines may not appeal to enough workers, notwithstanding the great wages. The work can be difficult, in difficult climates and with (occasionally) difficult work-mates. The work schedules can also exacerbate this. Moreover, working for 3 weeks on and 1 week off (or whichever regime the particular mine uses) can create pressures on the family and can make relationships suffer or break down.
These issues must be addressed by mining companies if they wish to overcome the present shortfall in workers into the future.
About the Author:
The Aussie Miner is an expert on the Australian Mining Industry. It produces The Aussie Mining Employment Bible which can be found at www.theaussieminer.com
A fantastic salary is available to virtually anyone wishing to work in the Australian mines. The figures people regularly see bandied about in newspapers are, in fact, a reliable snapshot of the earnings available. In one famous article, a store manager of a fast food franchise in Karratha WA, called Chicken Treat was paid $2000 per week to relocate from Perth. His accomodation (costing more than $500 per week) was included in the relocation package on top of the wage. Like the store mananger, earning a six-figure wage is a serious prospect for any Australian wishing to work in the Australian mines. And it does not matter whether you bring skills with you or are unskilled altogether.
The reasons behind the present growth in the mning industry varies depending on who you speak with. On the one hand, certain people suggest that growth can simply be aligned with the growth in China. More educated commentators suggest that the present need for workers, however, is a combined function of the vast deposits of minerals in australia; the growth in demand (from China and India, as well as other trading partners); and the tight regime which the government places on people wishing to work in Australia. The factors have given rise to a desire by mining companies to enlarge existing mines or to undertake additional exploration of Australian soil in an effort to open further mines.
The effects of the Australian mining boom can be seen in many areas of Australian l
Earlier this year, The Minerals Council of Australia released an article which analysed how the mining industry will function in light of the present shortfall in employees up to the year 2020. The Council predicted in this article that the mining sector will need at least 80,000 more workers. The equivalent council in WA anticipates that several hundred thousand workers will be required in WA alone within that period. So, on any view, there is plenty of work!
So why is there a shortage of workers? There is obviously no definitive answer to this question, but anectodal evidence sheds some light. People who work in the mines tend to have specific goals in travelling to the mines. Most tend to travel there for a limited amount of time, many just wanting to work for long enough to repay a debt or to save for a deposit on a house. This, of course, leads to a large attrition rate which in times of accelerated growth (like now) can give rise to a shortfall in workers. Added to this, the work in the mines may not appeal to enough workers, notwithstanding the great wages. The work can be difficult, in difficult climates and with (occasionally) difficult work-mates. The work schedules can also exacerbate this. Moreover, working for 3 weeks on and 1 week off (or whichever regime the particular mine uses) can create pressures on the family and can make relationships suffer or break down.
These issues must be addressed by mining companies if they wish to overcome the present shortfall in workers into the future.
About the Author:
The Aussie Miner is an expert on the Australian Mining Industry. It produces The Aussie Mining Employment Bible which can be found at www.theaussieminer.com
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