QLD Mining and Energy Bulletin
Issue link: http://ebook.aprs.com.au/i/31843
EMPLOYERS ADDRESS LATENT RECRUITMENT NEEDS, BUT... T Hotspots In the coal sector the greatest demand is for Mining Engineers at all levels, Deputies and Under Managers, Maintenance Planners and Superintendents and Mechanical Engineers with reliability and maintenance experience. Given the strong national competition for candidates, New South Wales’s coal sector is no longer attracting candidates based on its lifestyle benefits and the residential nature of its mining positions. Employers in NSW are also finding it difficult to match the salary packages offered by other states, which is further fuelling candidate demand in the state’s coal sector. The ongoing requirements of Australia’s operational mine sites, geared towards improving productivity through upgrading and maintaining their plant and process equipment, is still driving the need for experienced maintenance (fixed and mobile plant) and reliability professionals. A number of proposed capital works projects will also create opportunities for Project Managers with mine infrastructure experience. 72 QLD Mining and Energy Bulletin Winter 2011 he April-June Hays Quarterly Report notes that the first quarter of 2011 brought with it an upturn that has fuelled rising demand for skilled and experienced talent. As a result of new mine developments and expansions, we can see a general upsurge in work and new consultancies opening to accommodate this. There is, at present, a demand for Mine Engineers to work within consultancy roles. Mine exploration is reaching pre-GFC levels and yielding an increased amount of permanent and contract positions. Requirements exist for Project Engineers (Electrical, Civil and Mechanical), experienced Mine Engineers for open pit and underground and Geologists are particularly in demand right now. Engineers are all critical players in resources and mining and all types are in great demand. Expanding mine sites need a larger materials handling capacity and Mechanical Engineers are well regarded as being the ones to design new, more efficient equipment to manage this increased capability. Civil Engineers have to create the infrastructure to support expanding and new mines. Electrical Engineers are required to reprogram power line communications networks and to design power and control systems to support the new equipment. New large dollar Brownfield and Greenfield construction projects emphasise the lack of qualified engineers and safety professionals. The fact that the industry is in growth RECRUITMENT