WA Resources Industry Environmental Scan Outlines Skills & Labour Demands

Western Australian Resources Industry: ENVIRONMENTAL SCANRight PlaceRight AttitudeSkilled WorkforceRight Skills
June 2010
The Resources Industry Training Council is a State Government funded; APPEA (www.appea.com.au) and CME (www.cmewa.com) joint venture initiative to represent the training and workforce development needs of the Western Australian resources (mining, gas and oil) and downstream process manufacturing industries.

RESOURCES INDUSTRY ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN
Note and Declaimer:
This document is an environmental scan for the Western Australian resources sector and was developed by the Resources Industry Training Council (RITC). Its purpose is to provide the Department of Training and Workforce Development and the State Training Board with an overview of the industry with the intention of being incorporated into a workforce development plan for the petroleum, mining and exploration industries of Western Australia.
This report is supplied in good faith and reflects the knowledge, expertise and experience of the developer. The information provided is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of publication.
The use of the information in the environmental scan is at your own risk. The RITC does not warrant the accuracy of any forecast or prediction in the report. The environmental scan is provided solely on the basis that users will be responsible for making their own assessment of the information provided therein and users are advised to verify all representations, statements and information for decisions that concern the conduct of business that involves monetary or operational consequences. Each user waives and releases the Resources Industry Training Council and the State of Western Australia and its servants to the full extent permitted by law from all and any claims relating to the use of the material in the environmental scan. In no event shall the Resources Industry Training Council or the State of Western Australia be liable for any incidental or consequential damages arising from any use or reliance on any material in the environmental scan.
The Resources Industry Training Council
7th Floor, 12 St Georges Terrace,
Locked Bag N984, Perth, WA, 6844
Phone: +61 8 9325 2955
Facsimile: +61 8 9221 3701
For information regarding this report contact:
Debra Dixon
Executive Officer
Resources Industry Training Council
Telephone: +61 8 9220 8538
Email: d.dixon@cmewa.com

Contents
Executive Summary ................................................................................................. 1
Resources Industry Overview ...................................................................................... 1
State and National Training Councils ............................................................................ 2
Industry Organisations/Associations ............................................................................. 2
Economic Overview of the Resources Industry ................................................................. 2
Economic Cycles and Conditions ............................................................................... 3
Political/ Governmental/ Regulatory Influences ............................................................... 4
Regulations and Legislation Affecting the Industry ......................................................... 4
Changes in Rules and Regulations ............................................................................. 5
Certification Requirements ..................................................................................... 7
Geographic Location of the Industry ............................................................................. 7
Regional Infrastructure and Availability Of Adequate Local Skills & Labour .......................... 11
Employment ........................................................................................................ 11
Construction versus Operational workforce needs ........................................................ 12
Demands for a Skilled workforce ............................................................................ 12
Phases of operations ........................................................................................... 13
Workforce Statistics ............................................................................................ 15
National Competency Standards and National Training Packages ...................................... 19
Industry Occupational Overview ............................................................................. 20
Future Labour Demands ....................................................................................... 22
Current and Emerging Skill / Labour Gaps ................................................................. 23
Operation Critical Job Roles .................................................................................. 25
Emerging Occupations ......................................................................................... 26
Declining Occupations ......................................................................................... 26
Workforce Sources ................................................................................................ 26
Fly In Fly Out (FIFO) ........................................................................................... 27
Sourcing Employees from Overseas .......................................................................... 28
Barriers to Employment .......................................................................................... 30
What makes Employment Less Attractive? ................................................................. 30
Education and Training ........................................................................................... 32
Barriers to Training ............................................................................................ 32
Pre-employment Education and Training ................................................................... 32
Existing Worker training ....................................................................................... 33
Industry Qualifications Overview ............................................................................ 34
University Education ........................................................................................... 35
Future Directions for Education and Training .............................................................. 36
Technology ......................................................................................................... 36
Sustainability ...................................................................................................... 37
Carbon Emissions ............................................................................................... 38
Resource Operations .............................................................................................. 38
Data Sources .................................................................................................... 42

Executive Summary
The Department of Training and Workforce Development commissioned the Resources Industry Training Council to undertake research and prepare a industry workforce development plan for the Western Australian resources industry which includes the mining, petroleum, drilling and quarrying industries. This environmental scan is a component of that workforce development plan. The purpose of the initial research was to conduct an industry analysis of current and future employment demand, to identify barriers to employment and develop strategies to ensure this demand for skills and labour could be met.
With more than $88 billion worth of resource development and expansion projects either commenced or committed in Western Australia; labour and skill shortages are already being felt despite the global financial downturn. Large scale petroleum and iron ore projects are employing significant numbers of tradespersons during the construction phase; with most in demand trade being the metals, engineering and electrical trades. Construction phases require around 10 times the number of employees as does the operational phase of the project. The demand for construction skills and labour is having affect on other industries with employees moving from other sectors into resource project construction.
The request for the development of the environmental scan was a response to the serious labour shortages experiences across all industries prior to the global economic downturn and the knowledge that a resurgence of skills and labour demands in the resources sector has begun. Labour and skills shortages threaten to constrain economic development and prevent Western Australia to reach its full economic potential. The scan has been designed to assist Western Australian State government with developing training policy, establishing VET funding priorities and the development of a workforce development plan for Western Australia.
Evidence gathering and research in preparation for this scan, included:
•
comprehensive analysis of data and reports produced by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA (CMEWA); the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Assocaition (APPEA), Mining Industry Skills Centres Inc; Energy Skills Queensland, the State Training Board and the WA Department of Mines and Petroleum;
•
industry visits by RITC personnel, which involved face-to-face interviews with key enterprise stakeholders;
•
review of published and web-based information and data;
•
consultation with industry representatives from the various sectors for validation of this environmental scan;
•
analysis of data supplied by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, SkillsDMC, Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA), IBIS World, Australian Industry Group (AIG) and other similar organisations.
Resources Industry Overview
The primary activities of the Western Australian resources industry include:
•
Exploration and drilling;
•
Metal ore and coal mining;
•
Oil and gas extraction;
•
Non metal ore mining and quarrying;
•
Salt production.
The major products and services of this industry include:
Iron Ore
Gold
Alumina
Lead
Silver
Copper
Zinc
Coal
Oil and gas
Nickel
Minerals Sands
Manganese
Salt
Diamonds
Tin
Cobalt
Chromite
Clays
Construction Materials
Dimension Stone
Gypsum
Industrial Pegmatite Minerals
Limestone
Manganese Ore
Molybdenum
Phosphate
Rare Earths
Silica - Silica Sand
Talc
Tin
Tantalum
Lithium
Vanadium
Exploration
Drilling
Mining Services
Page 1

The resources industry includes activities that extract naturally occurring minerals, crude petroleum and natural gas. The term mining is used in very broadest sense to include underground or open cut mining, quarrying, well operations (gas oil) or evaporation pans (salt), as well as beneficiation activities which may involve crushing, screening, washing and flotation and other preparation work customarily performed at the mine site, or as a part of mining activity.
Despite the global economic downturn and a fall in commodity prices Western Australia’s resources industry recorded a 19% increase in sales value. Iron ore was the largest individual mineral sector accounting for almost half of the total value of the State’s mineral and petroleum sales. Other commodities to record significant growth in sales value in 2008–09 include LNG, natural gas, gold and salt. The mineral and petroleum sectors contributed 89% ($77.5 billion) to the States exports in 2008-20091.
Data compiled by Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) show that there were 67,865 persons employed in the Western Australian mining sector in June 2009. This represents a 4% decrease compared to June 2008 or a loss of 9,663 jobs compared to October 2008; when Western Australian mining sector employment peaked at 77,528. Despite job losses in the State’s resources industry; the industry continued to be a major employer in Western Australia where it is estimated that one in five employees are either directly or indirectly involved in resource sector activities1.
In 2008 Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s publication ‘Developing a Growth Outlook for WA’s Minerals and Energy Industry’ predicts the demand for people, water and energy based on proposed developments within the resources sector. The long term outlook for the resources sector is very positive. In summary:
•
the resources industry is projected to grow significantly in the period 2008-2014;
•
direct labour demand is expected to peak in 2012 at ~ 38,000;
•
the highest growth regions are expected to be the Mid-West (6,000); Goldfields/Esperance (3,000) and the Pilbara (14,000) in 2014;
•
Additional employees will be FIFO with a peak incremental requirement of 27,000 in 2012 versus a residential workforce requirement of 11,000 in the same period.
In 2009, the State government introduced an Exploration Incentive Scheme to encourage exploration in unexplored regions of the State. Petroleum exploration for 2008-2009 totalled $2.9 billion which was 35% higher than in 2007-2008. Offshore exploration accounts for 84% of the total expenditure and is located mainly in the Carnarvon and Browse basins. Although minerals exploration experienced a 10% fall in expenditure it still reached $1.2 billion. Iron ore (33%) and uranium (6%) exploration both recorded increases in expenditure. Gold exploration fell by 24% and base metals including nickel experiences a 12% fall.
In 2008–09, $22.8 billion of new capital expenditure by Western Australia's mining industry represented a 34% increase compared to the previous financial year. Capital expenditure by the mining industry represented 75% of Western Australia’s total new capital expenditure of $30.4 billion in 2008–09. Western Australia also accounted for 64% of national investment expenditure by the mining industry in 2008–091.
Investment projects in the under-construction category are dominated by iron ore and LNG projects. Projects include
•
Woodside’s Pluto Train 1 LNG project ($12 billion);
•
BHP Billiton’s Rapid Growth Project 5 iron ore project ($7.4 billion);
•
Sino Iron’s Pellet project ($5.2 billion);
•
Newmont Mining Corporation’s Boddington gold and copper mine ($3.7 billion); and
•
Worsley Alumina’s refinery expansion ($2.5 billion).
The committed investment projects category is dominated by:
•
the Gorgon Joint Venture ($43 billion);
•
the Oakajee Port and Rail development ($4 billion);
•
Perdamen Chemicals’ Coal to Urea Plant ($3.7 billion);
•
Western Areas’ Flying Fox, Spotted Quoll and Lounge Lizard nickel projects ($3.8 billion).
Despite the outsourcing to overseas companies and facilities the development of the large components of these construction projects (for example LNG trains) this equipment will need to be assembled and installed on arrival in Western Australia. During the construction period the above large scale construction projects will increase demand for metal, electrical, mechanical and other
1 Department of Mines and Petroleum: Western Australian Minerals and Petroleum Statistics Digest 2008-2009.

construction and commissioning tradespersons. After construction the numbers of workers falls dramatically as maintenance and operating staffing levels are significantly smaller.
Over the past ten years; royalties received by the Western Australian Government from Western Australian mineral and petroleum producers have increased 280% from $777 million in 1999–2000 to $3.2 billion collected during the 2008–09 financial year.
In summary Western Australia accounts for approximately 46% of Australia’s total value of mineral and petroleum sales (based on DMP and ABARE published data). DMP and ABARE data show that in the 2008 calendar year Western Australia’s petroleum industry accounted for 66% of national crude oil and condensate production and 71% of natural gas production and in 2008–09 38% of Australia’s total merchandise exports originated from Western Australia.
State and National Training Councils
The Resources Industry Training Council (RITC) is one of ten industry advisory bodies established by the State Government to provide strategic, forward looking training advice to the Western Australian State Training Board (STB) and the Department of Training and Workforce Development. A major function of the RITC is to work with industry, training providers and government to develop and implement innovative solutions for skill shortages and changing workforce needs.
The RITC is a State Government funded joint venture between the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CMEWA) and the Australian Petroleum Production Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA). The RITC is the peak body for the development and implementation of a vocational education and training (VET) framework to meet the diverse needs of the industry sectors of minerals, oil and gas and downstream processing.
SkillsDMC is the national Industry Skills Council for the Resources and Infrastructure sectors with coverage for the manufacturing sector which includes mining, drilling and construction.
Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA) is the national Industry Skills Council for the manufacturing sector which covers the petroleum extraction and processing sectors.
Industry Organisations/Associations
•
Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association
•
Chamber of Minerals and Energy
•
Association of Mining and Exploration Companies
•
Australian Drilling Industry Association
•
Australian Drilling Industry Training Committee
Economic Overview of the Resources Industry
The minerals and petroleum industry is a major contributor to the economy. In 2008-2009 the minerals and petroleum exports accounted for almost 90% of the State’s income from total merchandise exports. In 2008-2009 the value of the Western Australian minerals and petroleum industry reached $71.3 billion, an increase of 19% over the previous year2.
Within the State there are over 513 commercial mineral projects with more than 893 operating mine sites and 64 operating oil and gas fields. More than 50 different minerals are mined. The resources sector employs more than 67,865 persons.
Western Australia’s mineral and petroleum resources in order of value for 2008–09 are:
Billion
$
Iron Ore
$33.56
Crude Oil and Condensate
$10.77
LNG
$8.54
Gold
$5.19
Alumina
$4.56
Nickel
$2.98
Others
$5.71
2 Department of Mines and Petroleum: Western Australian Minerals and Petroleum Statistics Digest 2008-2009

Over the past ten years, royalties received by the Western Australian Government from mineral and petroleum producers have increased 280% from $777 million in 1999–2000 to $3.2 billion collected during the 2008–09 financial year. This represents royalties paid into the Western Australian Government Consolidated Revenue Fund. It includes Western Australia’s share of royalties paid by petroleum projects, royalties collected in the Territorial Sea subsisting permit areas, Barrow Island and the North West Shelf (where the State receives approximately 65% of royalties) that are shared with the Commonwealth.
2008-2009
Output Of Minerals And Energy 2
Million $
WA share of
%
(based on value)
Western Australia
$71,310
Australian Minerals and Energy
48%
Australia (~ based on ABS data)
$148,562
Australian Minerals(excl. coal)
43%
WA minerals
$50,017
Australian Minerals (incl. coal)
62%
WA petroleum
$21,293
Australian Energy (incl. coal)
33%
Australian Petroleum
64%
Major West Australian Commodities
Exploration
Iron Ore
$33,561 million
Western Australian mineral
$1,247 million
Petroleum
$21,293 million
Australian mineral
$2,223 million
Gold
$5,190 million
WA share
56%
Alumina
$4,564 million
Western Australian petroleum
$2,945 million
Nickel
$2,979 million
Australian petroleum
$3,811 million
WA share
77%
Merchandise Exports
Mineral and Energy Exports
Western Australia
$86,790 million
Western Australia
$77,470 million
Australia
$230,475 million
Australia
$160,377 million
WA share
38%
WA share
48%
WA exports of minerals and energy as % share of all State Merchandise exports
89%
Private New Capital Investment and GDP
Western Australia
$30,370 million
Australian minerals and energy
$35,675 million
Australia
$101,134 million
WA minerals and energy
$22,847 million
WA share
30%
WA share
64%
Australia GDP 2008-09
$1,194,496 million
Western Australian GSP 2008-09
$156,607 million
Mining component of WA GSP
25%
In 2007/08, the total domestic market for gas was about 950 terajoules per day, representing 53% of gross State energy consumption and 60% of electricity generation. Most gas for domestic use is supplied by the North West Shelf Venture (63%) through the Karratha Gas Plant and the Apache- Operated Harriet and John Brookes joint ventures (33%), through Varanus Island. Domestic gas projects under development or being considered for development include Devil Creek (220TJ/D), Gorgon (300TJ/d), Macedon (170TJ/d), Wheatstone (150 TJ/d) as well as Pluto. Gas is used predominantly for industrial production (58%), in electricity generation (29%) and by households for cooking and heating (4%). More than 75% of this gas is consumed by just six large customers- Alinta, BHP Billiton and Burrup Fertilisers for industrial purposes; Verve Energy, ERM and Alinta for electricity generation and gas supply to small customers.
ECONOMIC CYCLES AND CONDITIONS
The levels of commodities produced by the resources sector and the sectors profitability rely on global commodity prices and demand. If commodity prices or demand fall too low resource operations will stop operating and go into care and maintenance until commodity prices and demand improve. This reaction to the global economy is reflected in the number of projects that were put on hold after the global economic downturn. Prior to the down turn severe skill shortages existed in most Western Australian industries as the resource sector drew labour from all other industries. After global economic downturn the resources sector made a significant number of employees redundant, this had a dramatic flow on into the supporting industries.
Page 3

Despite the global economic downturn at an aggregate level, the value of Western Australian mineral and petroleum sales recorded a 19% increase to reach $71.3 billion in 2008–09. Iron ore was the largest individual mineral sector by value and accounted for almost half of the total value of the State’s mineral and petroleum sales. Other commodities to record significant growth in sales value in 2008–09 include LNG, natural gas, gold and salt.
The following table lists the overall average commodity price movements in 2008–09. As shown; commodity prices were adversely affected by the global financial crisis.
Commodity
$
Iron Ore
Up 74%
Gold
Up 28%
Alumina
Steady
Tin
Down 4%
Crude Oil
Down 16%
Copper
Down 26%
Cobalt
Down 34%
Zinc
Down 36%
Lead
Down 40%
Nickel
Down 45%
The shortage of labour and the need for an appropriately skilled workforce are regularly identified as key impediments to the growth of Australia’s resources sector. While this is undoubtedly true, to precisely what extent and what actions are required is much less certain. Given the number of variables that will affect the future growth of the industry, including Australia’s investment competitiveness, the economic climate and international demand for Australian resources, it is impossible to forecast the industry’s skill and labour needs into the future with a high degree of accuracy. Planning for uncertainty underscores the importance of a strong partnership between the industry and government, both of whom have very significant, though different, roles to play.
Industry costs generally have doubled around the world in recent years (industry costs in Australia increased more than the global average) and local factors like the increased remoteness of the fields, in deeper water, with drier gas and higher impurities, are also contributing to higher development costs. The higher the industry costs the less competitive the industry is in the global market.
Political/ Governmental/ Regulatory Influences
REGULATIONS AND LEGISLATION AFFECTING THE INDUSTRY
•
Atomic Energy Act 1953 (Cwth)
•
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (Cwth)
•
Environment Protection and biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwth)
•
Environmental Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974 (Cwth)
•
Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 (WA)
•
Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 (Cwth)
•
Customs Act 1901 (Cwth)
•
Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 (WA)
•
Dangerous Goods Safety Regulations 2007 (WA)
•
Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA)
•
Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth)
•
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 (WA) and Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 (WA).
•
Mining Act 1978 (WA)
•
Native Title Act 1993 (Cwth);
•
Nuclear Activities Regulations Act 1978 (WA)
•
Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 (Cwth).
•
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
•
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (Cwth)
•
Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982 (WA)
• Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 (WA)
• Petroleum Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 2005 (WA)
Page 4

• Petroleum Pipelines Act 1969 (WA)
•
Radiation Protection and Control Act 1982 (SA)
•
Radiation Safety Act 1985 (WA)
•
Radioactive Ores and Concentrates (packaging and transport ) Act 1980 (NT)
•
Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 (WA)
•
Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WA)
CHANGES IN RULES AND REGULATIONS
Carbon Emissions
Carbon emissions legislation will have an effect on the resources sector.
Royalties and Taxes
Tax and royalty rates are an important factor when companies make decisions about developing resource projects, as well as determining which States and countries provide the best operating environment for new investments in resources projects.
The Federal Government’s proposed introduction of a new $9 billion tax on the resources sector, called the “Resource Super Profits Tax” (RSPT) will take some time to evaluate in terms of their overall net impact on the WA resources sector.
The State Government collected $3.2 billion in resource royalties in 2008-09. Much of the revenue received from royalties is invested in infrastructure projects and as the basis of the Royalties for Regions program which is returning 25% of all royalties to regional Western Australia.
Mineral and petroleum resources are owned by the Crown, and either the Federal Government (in the case of offshore operations) or the State and Territory Governments (in the case of onshore operations) levy royalties or taxes.
The level and nature of royalties varies between both States and commodities. Royalty systems include specific rate royalties, ad valorem royalties and profit-related royalties. The bulk of the royalties paid by the Mining division goes to Federal and State Governments, but some royalties are also paid to others. The proposed Centralised Royalty Revenue needs to ensure equitable distribution and not disadvantage Western Australia.
Oil and gas accounted for about 47% of the royalty payments, coal mining for about 27%, metal ore mining for nearly 23% and other minerals for the remaining 3%.
A number of specific taxes apply to the Oil and Gas Extraction industry. With the exception of various North West Shelf project; Petroleum Resource Rent Taxes (PRRT) apply to most offshore petroleum projects. PRRT is levied on net revenues at the rate of 40%. Where PRRT applies, it replaces the excise and royalties that would otherwise have been levied.
Resource Rent Royalties (RRR) may be applied to onshore petroleum projects by State Governments. There is provision for the Federal Government to waive its crude oil excise where RRR is applied, provided that the State Government negotiates an acceptable agreement with the producers and agrees to a satisfactory revenue sharing arrangement with the Federal Government. Resource Rent Royalties are levied at a rate of between 10% and 12.5% of the net well-head value of all petroleum produced.
Crude Oil Excises are levied as a percentage of the realised price received by producers and are based on the annual level of crude oil sales from individual productions areas. The level of excise varies with the size and discovery date of the field. In general, most states levy royalties of between 10% and 12.5% of the net well-head value of the petroleum produced. Excises apply to crude oil production onshore and in coastal waters (with the exception of Barrow Island where a RRR applies). They also apply to the North West Shelf projects.
Commonwealth royalties are levied on offshore petroleum production from the North West Shelf project and the proceeds are split between the Federal Government and the Western Australian Government.
A GST applied at the rate of 10% benefits the Mining sector, as it is able to claim GST paid on business inputs, and is not required to charge GST to its overseas customers.
Replacing State mineral royalties with a new Federal tax could see Western Australia miss out on its fair share of the income derived from resource projects in the State according to the CME.
Page 5

Royalties derived from resource projects are an essential part of State revenue and are required to deliver important services and infrastructure for all Western Australians and this revenue must not be threatened by the advent of the RSPT. It is acknowledged that the Federal Government also contributes significantly to the infrastructure requirements of the State and to increase the contribution made by companies to a sustainable level could assist in the provision of improved services and development in regional and metropolitan areas.
Skilled Migration
The resources industry is a global industry, with many multinational companies having workforces in several countries; hence, resources industry skills are internationally transferrable. A State workforce development strategy needs to factor in this global movement of employees. Skilled migrants on temporary (457) skilled migration programs, particularly in critical professional roles are a key component of the minerals sector’s response to overcoming skills capacity constraints and maintaining the resources sector’s productivity.
Australia’s skilled migration program provides a critical source of skilled workers for the resources sector. During the recent commodity market surge the minerals industry workforce grew by 90 % in the five years to November 2008 and skilled migrants comprised a critical 3 % of that labour force.
The 2009 review of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) review found that the MODL needed to be revoked and replaced by a more targeted skilled occupations list to better meet the demands of Australia’s labour market. Also announced was the replacement of the current Skilled Occupation List (SOL) in the second half of 2010, with a new list of targeted occupations determined by the independent body, ‘Skills Australia’. While industry has supported the change to an industry driven model of program targets being set against medium-long term skill needs rather than the more cyclical nature of labour demand that characterises many Australian industries; the minerals industry being one of those. The Government’s labour market forecasts of the minerals industry have consistently underestimated the skills shortages in occupations with small numbers of employees such as mining engineering and metallurgy. In particular the industry supports the need to target skills of high economic value across all skilled migration programs.
A skilled migration program with integrity that doesn’t compromise the working conditions of the migrants, nor work opportunities for Australians and which is not overly bureaucratic and facilitates employer participation must be maintained within the national workforce development strategy. The system must be responsive to genuine employers and timely in delivering outcomes to match investment decisions.
The nation’s population alone cannot meet the anticipated skills demand of the resources sector in a timely manner. Therefore, the skilled migration system should complement the continuing development of the skills of the state by providing highly skilled migrant workers where those skills are not currently available in sufficient quantities in the Australian workforce.
VET Act
The September 2009 amendments to the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 made widespread changes to the operation and administration of training in WA, particularly affecting trade training and issuing of trade papers.
The shortening of some apprenticeship terms to three and a half years has not been met with universal approval of the Industry. Many employers believe that the increasing complexity of some work skills require more rather than less time in training. This has lead to some employers retaining the Apprentice after the indenture period to ensure the workplace competency is fully developed.
The removal of the need to issue both a Trade qualification and trade papers has raised concerns in industry in that there may be a tendency by training providers to not ensure an apprentice is competent in the workplace to trades level. Previously this was a two-stage procedure where the RTO and the ApprentiCentre issued two separate documents when all the assessments were completed and signed off by all parties – training provider and employer.
The lack of trade papers will be further confounded if institutionalised trade training occurs as employers have not been educated to look for the wording ‘achieved through Australian Apprenticeship arrangements’ on a qualification. Employers will need to look for the statement to determine if the trade skills were acquired through an employment contract (apprenticeship) or fully institutionalised. Page 6

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
•
Authorised Mine Surveyor’s certificate grades 1 and 2
•
Dangerous Goods Safety (Explosives) Regulations 2007
•
Dangerous Goods Safety (Security Risk Substances) Regulations 2007
•
Dangerous Goods Security Card
•
Deputy’s certificate
•
Exploration Licence
•
Explosives Import / Export Licence
•
Explosives Manufacture (Mobile Processing Unit) Licence
•
Explosives Storage Licence
•
Explosives Transport Licence
•
Fireworks Contractor Licence
•
Fireworks Event Permit
•
Fireworks Operator Licence
•
First Class Mine Manager’s Certificate Of Competency
•
Issue Of A Test Permit
•
Mine surveyor’s certificate
•
National Standard For Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work
•
Pyrotechnics (Special Use) Licence
•
Quarry Manager’s Certificate Of Competency
•
Restricted quarry manager Certificate Of Competency
•
Shotfiring Licence
•
SRS Fertiliser Licence
•
SRS Import / Export Licence
•
SRS Manufacture Licence
•
SRS Storage Licence
•
SRS Supply Licence
•
SRS Transport Licence
•
Tenement Licence
•
Underground Supervisor’s Certificate Of Competency
•
Ventilation Officer – Diploma or above
•
Water Well Drilling Licence
•
Winding Engine Driver’s certificate
Geographic Location of the Industry
The majority of the industry is conducted in remote and regional Western Australia with the majority occurring in the Pilbara and the Kalgoorlie Esperance regions with the Mid West becoming a region of growth.
Large resource companies typically have a head office located one of the large cities rather than the operations site. Head Office functions typically include setting production targets, corporate standards, strategic planning and corporate compliance and reporting. Often the head office will develop and drive the graduate and leadership programs across the sites. Page 7

Source: http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/documents/map09.pdf
Most of Australia’s petroleum resources are located on the coast of Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Victoria. Western Australia has 64% of Australia’s economic demonstrated resources of crude oil, 75% of condensate resources and 57% of LPG resources. Geoscience Australia 2008, Oil and gas resources of Australia showed that WA’s Petroleum resources include 121 GL of crude oil, 255 GL of condensate, 98 GL of LPG, and 2592 bcm of Conventional Gas. Page 8

Australia’s existing, committed and proposed LNG plants.
DMP data3 shows regions in Western Australia produce minerals and/or gas and oil. The Pilbara is the major mineral and petroleum centre for Western Australia with 47% of the resources value being generated by minerals (mainly iron ore but along with gold, manganese, copper and salt) and around 28% by petroleum. The Goldfields – Esperance region generates 11% of the State’s mineral wealth mainly through gold, nickel cobalt and base metals. Currently the Mid West generates 4% through gold, base metals, iron ore as well as gas and oil but this region is expected to grow with the ramping up of iron mines in the region. The Peel region generates 6% of the value through alumina and gold production. The Kimberly produces diamonds, nickel, gold and iron ore and reflects 1% of the value resources produced in Western Australia. The Southwest is known for its coal mines, mineral sands.
3 http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/1521.aspx#7873: Quantity and value 2009 47% 28% 11% 6% 4% 2%1% 1% $ Value of Minerals and Petroleum by RegionPilbara RegionOffshore PetroleumGoldfields Esperance Peel RegionMid West RegionWheatbelt RegionKimberley RegionOther

2009 Sales Value of Resources Produced by Region
Pilbara Region
Wheatbelt Region
Iron Ore
$26,820,026,183
Iron Ore, Feldspar and Gold
$844,544,660
Gold
$717,755,331
Gypsum and Heavy Mineral Sands
$201,888,238
Copper
$599,738,263
Nickel, Cobalt and Salt
$166,012,639
Manganese and Salt
$550,352,096
Other
$8,719,078
Other
$107,822,954
Total
$1,221,164,615
Total
$28,795,694,827
Kimberley Region
Offshore Petroleum
Nickel, Cobalt and Diamonds
$394,450,678
$8,699,005,967
Iron Ore and Gold
$300,577,833
Liquefied Natural Gas
$6,327,686,818
Copper, Silver and Crude Oil
$31,408,329
Natural Gas
$1,133,326,096
Other
$5,200,523
LPG Butane and Propane
$612,776,966
Total
$731,637,363
Total
$16,772,795,847
South West Region
Goldfields Esperance Region
Coal
$308,156,873
Gold
$3,747,156,752
Heavy Mineral Sands
$146,944,680
Nickel, Platinum and Palladium
$2,654,202,367
Tin, Tantalum and Spodumene
$92,741,498
Cobalt
$151,750,856
Other
$226,041
Copper and zinc
$142,711,787
Total
$548,069,092
Silver
$15,756,175
Construction Materials
$3,461,378
Gascoyne Region
Other
$2,858,443
Salt and Gems
$91,321,783
Total
$6,717,897,758
Gypsum and Limesand-Limestone
$8,714,659
Other
$25,230
Peel Region
Total
$100,061,672
Alumina
$3,593,456,264
Gold and Copper
$105,985,416
Perth Metropolitan Region
Total
$3,699,441,680
Construction Materials, Silica Sand,
Limesand-Limestone
$25,194,012
Mid West Region
Gold
$896,142,642
Great Southern Region
Copper, Lead and Zinc
$386,540,055
Limesand, Silica Sand and Spongolite
$3,774,149
Nickel, Cobalt and Talc
$349,203,352
Iron Ore and Gypsum
$341,123,623
Heavy Mineral Sands
$276,727,462
Chromite, Manganese and Silver
$69,351,026
$36,349,155
Natural Gas
$22,909,246
Other
$3,480,140
Total
$2,381,826,701 Condensate19% Natural Gas7% Crude Oil33% LPG ‐ Butane Propane4% LNG37% $ Value ByPetroleum Products

REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND AVAILABILITY OF ADEQUATE LOCAL SKILLS LABOUR
Due to a number of factors including inadequate regional infrastructure and local skilled labour the majority of employment in the resources sector is fly-in fly-out (FIFO). This enables employees to be sourced from across Australia focussing on the major cities. The majority of FIFO employees are recruited from Perth.
The reliance on FIFO has:
•
placed an additional burden on airports and airlines;
•
increased the demand for temporary accommodation.
State-wide demand for water; electricity and gas from the minerals and energy sector is projected to grow significantly in the period 2010-2014. The majority of this growth is expected in the Pilbara and Mid West regions where new and expanding projects in particular iron ore are planned.
Anticipated State-wide demand from the minerals and energy sector for water; electricity and gas include:
•
water demand is projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% to 1129 Giga litres per annum (GL/a) by 2014;
•
electricity demand from the Pilbara is 13766 GWh/a. This constitutes a 82% of incremental growth;
•
State gas is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.7% to 286 PJ/a by 2014. The Pilbara region is expected to account for 82%; or 78 PJ/annum incremental gas requirements in 2010.
Other issues related to the remote location of the resource operations include:
•
lack of affordable housing;
•
inadequacy of public transportation;
•
inadequacy health care in respect to doctors and hospitals including emergency, maternity, paediatrics, psychiatric and geriatric care;
•
lack of 24 hours 7 days a week childcare;
•
lack of availability of quality schools, TAFE and tertiary institutions and the quality of teachers;
•
fuel prices average 30 cents per litre more than the Perth area; and
•
desirability of geographic areas as places to live.
Employment
This environmental scan relies on data provided by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) which collects mining employment data from compulsory monthly accident reporting which are submitted by all operating mines and companies carrying out exploration on mineral and mining leases. The DMP’s Resources Safety Division’s AXTAT reporting system identifies the number of direct employees and contractors (including exploration personnel) working on operating mining leases. In March 2008 legislation was introduced to capture exploration personnel working on greenfield sites. The DMP collects petroleum employment data by contacting each operating company who provide both direct and contract personnel data.
Employment data collected and published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is classified using reference to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC). This data is therefore not directly comparable with that collected by DMP. Under ANZSIC guidelines not all mining employment is reflected in ABS’s Mining industry classification. For example:
•
Catering personnel working on mine sites are reflected in the Accommodation and Food Services classification and transport personnel (truck and train drivers) working on mine sites are reflected in the Postal and Warehousing industries.
•
Contractors employed in site preparation and removing overburden at a mine site on a contract or fee basis are listed under Site Preparation Services.
•
Employees engaged in liquefying natural gas, production of pig iron, hot briquetted iron, alumina, the smelting and refining of metals are included in Manufacturing.
•
Employees providing geophysical surveying services on a contract or fee basis are included in Surveying and Mapping Services. Page 11

CONSTRUCTION VERSUS OPERATIONAL WORKFORCE NEEDS
It is important to note that employment numbers and required skills in the resources sector differ dramatically between construction phase and operational phase. Construction typically required large numbers of traditional tradespersons to build and install the necessary infrastructure to enable the operation to produce and process its commodity. The operational phase requires significantly less trades persons (usually limited to maintenance personnel) and an introduction of extraction operators, process technicians. Construction phases normally have around 4 times the number of employees as the operational phase.
Both the construction and operational phases contribute significantly to the economy. The industry has strong linkages with other sectors, so its impacts on the economy go further than the direct contribution of construction and operation. The level of additional economic activity generated by a source industry is referred to as a multiplier. There are two types of multipliers:
1
. Production induced made up of first round effect: which is all outputs and employment required to produce the inputs for construction and operations and an industrial support effect; which is the induced extra output and employment from all industries to support the production of the first round effect.
2
. Consumption induced: which relates to the demand for additional goods and services due to increased spending by the wage and salary earners across all industries arising from employment.
Clements et al (2006) suggested basic employment multipliers for construction and metals mining were 2.93 and 4.13 respectively. This means each construction position generates 1.93 jobs in a supporting industry therefore demand for 1 additional construction job required the availability of 2.93 employees. Once the project is in operation for each additional employee 4.13 jobs will be created in an allied industry.
DEMANDS FOR A SKILLED WORKFORCE
A variety of operations, maintenance, engineering, science and managerial career paths exist across the exploration, production, transport and processing sectors of the industry. Career paths extend from manual fieldwork, through skilled operators and maintenance technicians, to professional engineering, science and managerial positions.
There is a growing demand for skilled, safety conscience people with initiative and team-working skills across the industry. Other personal attributes required include the ability to work in a team, communicate ideas, and have the resourcefulness to deliver results in remote, challenging situations. Pathways into the industry can commence through an apprenticeship, from TAFE, university and existing employment in a relevant industry. Entry level may be relevant work experience such as mobile equipment operating, trade certificate, technical diploma or a degree.
The Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) has been adopted by the industry with the RII and PMA Training Packages being the focus for operators and technicians, MEM for maintenance workers and university qualifications for the professional engineering and science professionals.
Employers encourage life-long learning and are supporters of career advancement. Consequently, career progression, multi-skilling and opportunities to gain experience in other vocational streams or industry sectors are common.
Page 12

PHASES OF OPERATIONS
The types of skills required by a resources company depends on the life stage of the site.
Exploration Phase
This is the phase when exploration of land and ocean floor formation occurs and making of predictions of where mineral, oil or gas may be found. Prospectors and exploration geologists use geological aerial and satellite surveys to identify rocks, faults and basins. They conduct geophysical studies of below-ground formations using seismic surveys and 3D simulations.
Minerals sector skills requirement:
Oil Gas skills requirement:
Prospectors and Exploration Geologists etc.
Geoscientist, Geophysicists, Pilots, Maritime Crews etc.
Drilling Phase
In this phase drilling occurs to delineate ore bodies, oil and gas fields. Numerous drill holes are made and samples are analysed for mineral or oil bearing formations. The analysis of these samples will indicate if the project is commercially viable and the potential life of the operation.
Drillers, Drillers’ Assistants, Drill Supervisors, Geologists, etc.
Geoscientist, Geophysicists, Drillers, Toolpushers, Installation Managers, Field Supervisors etc.
Investment Decision Phase
A business case for developing the reserve is made. Costs of constructions, extraction, processing and delivering to market are weighed against the current and predicated commodity prices and global demand.
Skills required: Engineers, Business Analysts, Finance Analysts, Accountants, Board of Management, Lawyers, Community Liaison / media etc.
Construction Phase
Construction prepares the site and builds the infrastructure required for the operation to meet its objectives. On a mine site this is typically involves the clearing of land and the building of process plants, offices, change rooms, cribs and roads as required.
For Oil and Gas extraction this phase involves the drilling of production wells to develop fields and produce oil and gas and through to well completions and the installation of valves and pipes to control pressure and flows. The constructions of production platforms and associated pipelines and land processing and storage facilities.
In both cases the construction of airports, harbour/port facilities and residential camps may be involved. Occasionally the construction of power stations as well as significant roads and railways infrastructure are required.
Engineers (Civil, Structural, Mining), Construction Managers, Surveyors, Draftspersons, Metal Trades, Electricians, Instrumentation Fitters, Truck Drivers, Mobile Plant Operators, Carpenters, Plumbers, Coded Welders, Steel Fixers, And Grano Workers/Concrete Finishers, Etc.
Drillers, Engineers (Structural, Subsea, Reservoir), Draftspersons, Metal Trades, Electricians, Instrumentation Fitters, Plumbers, Coded Welders, ROV Operators Etc.
LNG Plant Development Condensate Tanks- Mobile Plant Operators, Labourers, Grano Workers/Concrete Finishers, Steel Fixers, Carpenters, Electricians, Welders, Riggers, Pipe Fitters, Plasterers/Boilermakers, Support Trades.
Jetty development - Operators/Labourers, Grano Workers/Concrete Finishers, Steel Fixers, Carpenters, Electricians, Welders, Riggers, Pipe Fitters, Plasterers/Boilermakers, Support Trades.
Camp and airport development – Civil Engineers, Draftspersons, Surveyors, Mobile Plant Operators, Plumbers, Carpenters, Electricians, Metal Trades, Grano Workers, Labourers. Page 13

Production Phase
The phase of operation that begins the produce an income for the operation by extracting minerals, oil or gas.
Extraction
Mining Engineers, Mining Managers, Quarry Managers, Geologists, Surveyors, Core Technicians, Production Drillers, Development Drillers, Blasthole Drillers, Service Crew, Truck Drivers, Blast Technicians, Mobile Plant Operators, Warehouse Logistics, Cleaners, Catering, Heavy Diesel Mechanics, Light Vehicle Mechanics, High Voltage Electricians, Environmentalists, Safety Health Advisors etc.
Reservoir Engineers, Process Technicians, Mechanical Maintenance Technicians, Safety Health Advisors, Marine Biologists/ Environmentalists, Corrosion Control Operators etc.
Processing
In mineral mining this phase typically coincides with production and involves the removing of impurities and/concentrating of commercial commodities.
In petroleum extraction this phase typically coincides with production and involves the removing of impurities and/or liquefying gas products. The separation of oil from gas and the light oil condensate formed naturally from gas.
Metallurgists, Process Technicians, Crusher Operators, Electricians, Instrumentation Fitters, Maintenance Technicians, Laboratory Technicians, Corrosion Control Technicians etc.
Reservoir Engineers, Process Technicians, ROV Operators, Control Room Technicians, Maintenance Technicians etc.
Transporting
Moving the commodity from the site of extraction to the end user. Minerals are typically transported by truck or train to a port for transportation by ship to clients overseas.
Oil and gas is either transported to shore by pipeline or loaded directly onto ships for transport to overseas refineries and clients.
Truck drivers, Train Drivers, Loader Operators, Heavy Diesel Mechanics, Railway Line Maintenance Crew, Ship Loaders, Hatch Operators, Harbour Master, Reclaimer Operators etc.
Control Room Technicians, Process Technicians, Pipeline Technicians etc.
Care and Maintenance Phase
This phase usually occurs when it is not economical to run the operations. This may be due to poor commodity prices or lack of demand for the commodity. The operation ceases production and processing but machinery is maintained and mines are kept free of water so that it can become operational at some time in the future.
Maintenance Technicians and Mechanical Fitters
Process Technicians and Maintenance Technicians
Closure and Rehabilitation Phase
This phase occurs when the decision is made to close the operation permanently. All buildings and infrastructure are removed and the site is rehabilitated to return it to as close to natural state as practicable. Page 14

Mobile Plant Operators, Environment Officers, Environmental Drillers, etc.
Environmental Drillers, Environmental/Marine Officers
WORKFORCE STATISTICS
The DMP reported employment in the mining sector peaking in October 2008 with a monthly average of 77,528. The global economic downturn led to a fall with a 2008–09 employment average of 71,329.
In November 2008 many expansions projects were shelved and projects were downsized; deferred or placed on care and maintenance. By January 2009, average mining employment numbers had fallen to 68,692 (31,951 employees and 36,741 contractors), a decline of around 11% from October 2008. Between the peak in October 2008 and June 2009, total employment fell by approximately 9,100 jobs. However, employment in June 2009 was only 2,924 below July 2008 levels.
Exploration employment for personnel working on greenfield sites for 2008–09 averaged 2338.
31% of WA mining employees work in the Iron Ore sector, 19% in Gold mining, 18% in Nickel and 14% in Bauxite.
. 0500010000150002000025000 Base MetalsBauxite ‐AluminaChromiteClaysCoalConstruction MaterialsDiamondsDimension StoneGoldHeavy Mineral SandsIndustrial Pegmatite … Iron OreLimestone –Lime sandManganese OreMineral/CompanyMolybdenumNickelPetroleum ProductsPhosphateRare EarthsSaltSilica ‐Silica SandSilverTalcTin ‐Tantalum ‐LithiumVanadiumVarious PortsAll Other Materials Average Number of Employees In The WA Minerals And Petroleum Industries2007 2008
Employment in 5 commodities was not greatly affected by the global economic downturn and these included iron ore, gold, alumina, coal and petroleum extraction. Page 15

Workforce Demographics
In 2008 the minerals sector workforce comprised 36 % tradespersons and related workers, 35 % semi-skilled workers (principally machinery operators and drivers), 10 % professionals, 9 % labourers, 5 % technicians and 5 % managers and administrators4. Over recent years the greatest growth has been in the technician and trades category.
The majority of employees work full time, and their median age is 40 years compared with a median age for all industries of 37 years. However, coal sector employees are older on average than those in the metalliferous sector.
Women comprise around 18% of the resource sector workforce compared to a national participation rate of 46%5 . However, women only represent 3% of all employees at mine sites, oil rigs and minerals processing operations. Some of the reasons for the industry not being attractive to females are the requirement by many companies to work away from families for extended periods of time (FIFO) and the perception that the work is hard and dirty. In the drilling sector the percentage of females is less than 1% which may be due to the additional issues of working with very small teams in isolated locations for long period of time.
The minerals industry is the largest private sector employer of Indigenous people, with 5% of its direct workforce identifying as Indigenous. Most operations in remote and regional locations prefer
4 NILS (2008). The Labour Force Outlook in the Australian Minerals Sector: 2009 to 2020.
5 ABS (November 2009). 6291.0.55.003. Labour force Australia. 050001000015000200002500030000Employees By MineralAug‐07Jan‐08Feb‐08Mar‐08Apr‐08May‐08Jun‐08Jul‐08Aug‐08Sep‐08Oct‐08Nov‐080.050.0100.0150.0200.0 Feb‐2006Jun‐2006Oct‐2006Feb‐2007Jun‐2007Oct‐2007Feb‐2008Jun‐2008Oct‐2008Feb‐2009Employees (000) Gender Mix of WA Resources IndustryMalesFemalesTotal

local workers and are committed to increased employment of local Indigenous people who can meet their employability requirements. However, many Indigenous people located in these areas have low levels of literacy, numeracy and fitness for work attributes which precludes them from taking up training opportunities.
With regards to age the minerals and petroleum industry tend to recruit mature age employees as there is a perception that age and safety behaviour are linked. With the exception of apprentices employees are typically 18 or more years old. As significant number (32%) are in the 25-34 year bracket and a similar number in the 35-44 years bracket. With 21.2% in the 45-54 year bracket and 11.3% in over 55 group. With the duration of training required for a petroleum process technician being around 5 years and an Engineer being 4 years (after 20012 UWA Engineering students may need 7 years) there is a need to plan ahead to cater for the 32.5% that can be expected to retire within the next 10 years
Anecdotally, employee turnover in the minerals and energy sector is high. At some FIFO sites the turnover was as high as 30 % at the height of the last mining boom. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that at February 2008 12% of mining workers had changed their employer in the previous 12 months. Unfortunately, data on the amount of labour “churn” as compared to labour moving to other industries or out of the workforce is very limited.
In drilling employee turnover is high in companies, but personnel often stay within the industry once they pass the threshold of around four months. This is partly a reflection of the contractor role, as well as the nature of work. Much drilling is undertaken by drilling contractors and the contracts with resource companies can be short or long term contracts. Where contracts offered by the principal (usually a mine) are longer – e.g. where the drilling contractor has a 2-3 year contract, turnover of personnel is much lower as employers prefer to maintain people they have trained, and personnel prefer to stay on where the employer and the work suits them.
Recording workforce demographics is not as wide spread in the resources sector as in the government sector and therefore the data provided is sourced from the ABS 6291.0.55.003 Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly, Table 06 Employed persons by Industry Subdivision and Sex.
Workforce Education Levels
The 2006 ABS census data reports post school qualifications for the Western Australian mining employees as 48% having a Certificate I-IV level qualification, compared to 27% with a Bachelor degree and only 6% with a Postgraduate Degree.
NCVER 2007 data shows that at a national level around 30% of minerals sector employees hold a diploma or above qualification (around 20 % have a bachelor degree or higher); 28 % hold a Certificate level III or IV qualification; 5 % hold a Certificate I or II level qualification; and 37 % have no identified qualification6.
Since 2006 there has been effort made in promoting and the taking up of nationally recognised training and traineeships. This along with the increase in recruitment of interstate fly in fly personnel (not reflected as ABS data as data is based on State of residence) may mean that the following do not truly represent the industry in 2010.
6 NCVER (2007). Mining: Industry Training 2007; exploring the relationship between industry and the VET system. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 15‐2425‐3435‐4445‐5455‐6465 OverAge Ditribution of Oil Gas Employees and National Average June 2008NationalOil Gas

02,0004,0006,0008,00010,00012,00014,000Qualifications held by WA Mining Employees
Source: ABS Cat. 2068.0 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Postgraduate DegreeGraduate Diploma Graduate CertificateBachelor DegreeAdvanced Dip DiplomaCertificateNot stated% of Personnel Reporting a Qualifcation
Source: ABS Cat. 2068.0
Current Trends in Staffing Patterns
There is a distinction to be drawn between ‘labour shortage’, or a lack of new entry level recruits, and a ‘skills shortage’ or lack of qualified trades, technicians and professional people. The resources sector has suffered from skills shortages rather than labour shortages due to their ability to pay wages that will draw employees from other industries. On the other hand the drilling sector compete with mining, construction and defence for new entrants and does experience labour shortages.
Accurate labour demand forecasts are difficult to obtain due to a number of factors, including the reluctance of enterprises to release commercially sensitive data and the potential for ‘double counting’ if there is overlap between contractors’ and mining companies’ data. Page 18

01000020000300004000050000 1987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008 Mining EmploymentEmployeesContractors
Short term contracting is the norm in the construction phase of a project. Contracting is strategy to provide workforce flexibility for projects with finite start and end dates, different workforce needs at different stages of the construction process.
Resource sector project construction and ‘shut down maintenance’ work requires particular skills and flexibility which has resulted in experienced individuals being particularly sought by both service companies.
There has been an increase in the use of contractors even during operational phases with mining services being contracted out. Post global economic downturn the use of contractors fell in some industry sectors reflecting the dynamic nature of this employment method. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% % of Contractors
NATIONAL COMPETENCY STANDARDS AND NATIONAL TRAINING PACKAGES
Competency based training has been utilised by the resources industry for many years with many companies providing ongoing in-house training to operators and university graduates.
For many years the national competency standards have been recognised as a benchmark and much in-house (non-nationally recognised) training is aligned to the national standards. Industry’s understanding of the training package and its associated units of competency, qualification structure and assessment guidelines continues to grow. Experience with and the utilisation of the VET sector and nationally recognised training is also growing.
The attainment of qualifications is not seen as a major focus for the resources industry but rather training occurs with the aim of achieving an increase in safe work practices, improvements in production rates and staff retention.
Generally the resources industry does not access the public funding for training; some of this relates to the perceived inflexibility of the training system; the industry mainly operates out of remote and regional areas and a large part of the resources industry is focussed on skill sets as opposed to full qualifications; this has resulted in the need to fund their own development programs.
Page 19

Industry supported the recent rationalisation of the BCC03; RII06; MNM05; DRT03; MNC04 and MNQ03 training packages to form the Resources and Infrastructure (RII09) training package.
INDUSTRY OCCUPATIONAL OVERVIEW
The following are typical job roles found in the resources sector (P=petroleum, M=mining, C=construction).
Job Role
Qualifications
P
M
C
Miners –
Open Cut or Surface Mining#
Certificate II in Surface Extraction Operations
Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations
Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations
Diploma of Surface Operations Management
9
Miners –
Underground Mining#
Certificate II in Underground Metalliferous Mining
Certificate III in Underground Metalliferous Mining
Certificate IV in Metalliferous Mining Operations (Underground)
Diploma of Underground Metalliferous Mining Management
9
Miners –
Coal Mining#
Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations
Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations
Diploma of Surface Operations Management
Certificate IV in Surface Coal Mining (Open Cut Examiner
9
Mining - Managers and Supervisors#
Advanced Diploma of Metalliferous Mining
Advanced Diploma of Extractive Industries Management
Advanced Diploma of Surface Coal Mining
9
Process Operators#
Certificate II in Resource Processing
Certificate III in Resource Processing
Certificate IV in Resource Processing
Diploma of Minerals Processing
9
Production Technicians#
Certificate III in Process Plant Operations + skill sets
Certificate IV in Process Plant Technology
Diploma of Process Plant Technology
Advanced Diploma of Process Plant Technology
Maintenance Technicians and Mechanical Trades*
Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical (Maintenance Diesel Fitting)
9
Metal Trades*
9
Electrical And Instrumentation Trades*
Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control
Certificate III in Engineering – Electrical/Electronic Trade
Diploma of Engineering – Advanced Trade (Mechanical and Electrical)
Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Certificate IV in Electrical Instrumentation
9
9
Pipeline Technicians#
9
Control Room Technicians/Operators#
Certificate IV in Processing
9
Administration*
Certificate III IV in Business
9
9
Draftspersons*
Engineering Drafting
9
Drillers, Drillers’ Assistants,
Certificate II in Mining Field/Exploration Operations
Certificate II in Drilling Operations
Certificate III in Drilling Operations
Certificate IV in Drilling Operations
9
Offshore Driller, Roustabout, Derrickman, Floorman
Certificate II in Drilling Oil/Gas (Off shore)
Certificate II in Drilling Oil/Gas (On shore)
Certificate III in Drilling Oil/Gas (Off shore).
Certificate III in Drilling Oil/Gas (On shore)
Certificate IV in Drilling Oil/Gas (Off shore).
9

Certificate IV in Drilling Oil/Gas (On shore).
Drill Supervisors
Advanced Diploma of Drilling Management
Diploma of Drilling Operations
Advanced Diploma of Drilling Management
9
9
Offshore Driller Supervisors, Toolpusher
Diploma of Drilling Oil/Gas (Off shore)
Diploma of Drilling Oil/Gas (On shore)
Hospitality – Catering and Cleaning*
Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
9
9
Laboratory Technicians*
Certificate IV in Laboratory Operations
9
9
Medics Paramedics
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelor of Health Science - Paramedic
9
9
Mobile Plant Operators*
Front End Loader, Crane, Forklift, Skid-steer, Bogger, IT Carrier, Backhoe
9
9
Hoist Operator, Winder Driver (underground mines only)
Winding Engine Driver’s Certificate Class I II examinations by DMP
9
9
Truck Drivers*#
HC and/or MC class licences
9
9
Project Managers*
Diploma in Project Management
9
9
9
Front line supervisors
Certificate IV in Frontline Management
9
9
9
Warehousing and Logistics*
Certificate III in Transport and Logistics
Certificate IV in Warehousing and Logistics
Bachelor of Business - Logistics and Supply Chain Management *
9
9
9
Surveyors*
Bachelor of Applied Science - Surveying
9
9
Mines Rescue Team Member#
Certificate III in Mine Emergency Response and Rescue
9
OHS Advisors and Managers
Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety
9
9
9
Environmentalists*
Bachelor of Applied Science - Environmental Management
Bachelor of Applied Science - Marine Environment
9
9
9
Geologists and Geophysicists*
Bachelor of Applied Science - Geology
Bachelor of Applied Geographical Information Systems
9
9
Metallurgists*
Metallurgical Technician*
Bachelor of Applied Science - Metallurgy
9
Core/Corefarm Technicians*
9
9
Commercial Analysts / Accountants*
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Business - Accounting
9
9
9
Ballast Controller
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Business - Accounting
9
Deep Sea Diver
9
Integrated Rating
Integrated Rating Certificate, Offshore crane operators licence, Scaffolding, dogging and rigging
9
Radio Operator*
Radio Operator Licence, Sea Rescue,
9
Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) Operator
ROV Operator Certificate
9
Human resources *
Bachelor of Business - Human Resource Management
9
9
9
Marketing *
Bachelor of Business - Marketing
9
9
Public and Media Relations *
Bachelor of Business - Public Relations
Bachelor of Media and Communication
9
9
Page 21

Lawyers Contracts Management *
Bachelor of Laws
9
9
Engineers Scientists General
Bachelor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Bachelor of Civil Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering – Chemical
Bachelor of Engineering - Civil - Geotechnical
Bachelor of Engineering - Civil – Project Engineering and Management
Bachelor of Engineering - Surveying and Geoinformation Systems
Bachelor of Science - Geology and Geophysics
9
9
Engineers Mining
Bachelor of Engineering - Mining
Bachelor of Science - Extractive Metallurgy
9
Engineers Petroleum
Bachelor of Engineering - Petroleum
Bachelor of Engineering – Subsea
9
Radiation Safety Officers
Bachelor of Science degree
9
Ventilation Officers (Underground mines)
Surface Ventilation Technicians Course
Certificate IV in Surface Ventilation Officer
Advanced Diploma in Mine Ventilation
9
Underground Supervisor
Underground supervisor’s certificate examination by DMP
Passed both the mining practice and the mining law examinations set by the DMP or
Degree, Diploma or Associate Diploma in Mining Engineering
Quarry Manager
Quarry manager’s certificate examination by DMP
Diploma in Mining or Engineering
Associate Diploma in Surface Mining
Degree or Diploma in Geology
Bachelor of Engineering in Mining
Mine Manager
First class mine manager’s certificate - examination by DMP
Bachelor of Engineering in Mining
#denotes job roles which training as traditionally been provided on the job.
*denotes job roles which are not seen as areas of skill shortage either because the sector can successfully recruit from other industries or there is adequate supply.
FUTURE LABOUR DEMANDS
The Pilbara Industry's Community Council’s April 2010 report ‘Planning for resources growth in the Pilbara: revised employment population projections to 2020’ has estimated the growth in employment in the mining sector for the Pilbara region up to 2020.
Based on information available as at March 2010, total operational resource related employment in the Pilbara is projected to grow from some 19,000 in 2008 to some 47,000 in 2015, reaching 53,000+ by 2020. These totals include local jobs required to support direct employment in the Pilbara and FIFO positions but exclude construction workforce numbers which are shown separately. Residential employment increases by 28% between 2010 and 2015, from 15,900 to some 20,300, with growth moderating thereafter7.
FIFO projections for the Pilbara region grow at a faster rate, increasing by 83% between 2010 and 2015 and by a further 23% to 2020.
7 This moderation may be partly explained by company estimates not including expansion plans for later in the projection period.

01000020000300004000050000600002008201020152020Pilbara Resource Related Employment 2008‐2020ResidentalFIFOTotal
In 2008 there was a majority of people employed under residential conditions but in 2010 the percentage of residential and FIFO employees is close to equal by 2020 it is expected that 66% of the workforce will be FIFO. By 2015 92% of FIFO workers will be in the iron ore sector.
Residential
FIFO
2008
66%
34%
2010
51%
49%
2015
42%
58%
2020
38%
62%
Projected construction employment in the Pilbara is over 22,000 in 2010, peaking at some 28,000 in 2012 and dropping sharply away from 2015 onwards. These numbers are likely to be conservative because a number of companies have only chosen to include expansion/new projects at an advanced planning or approvals stage. Nearly all of these workers can be expected to be FIFO.
CURRENT AND EMERGING SKILL / LABOUR GAPS
Mineral and petroleum companies were asked to identify job roles which are hard to recruit due to an including:
• S
kills shortage prior to economic downturn, or
• C
urrent skills shortage; or
•
Inadequate sized pool of suitable candidates; or
•
Forecast strong demand which will likely lead to a skill shortage.
Job Title
Relevant Qualifications
PROFESSIONAL ROLES
Engineering and Science
Engineers (all disciplines)
Geologists
Bachelor of Geology
Geophysicists
Bachelor of Geophysics
Petrophysicists
Bachelor of Geology, Bachelor of Geophysics or Petroleum Engineering
Process Engineers
Petroleum Engineer
MSc degree in Reservoir or Petroleum Engineering
Reservoir Engineer
MSc degree in Reservoir or Petroleum Engineering
Risk Engineer
Master of Science Degree in Safety Engineering and Risk Management Page 23

TECHNICAL ROLES
Exploration and Drilling
Drillers
Certificate III in Drilling Operations
Certificate III in Drilling Oil/Gas (Off shore).
Certificate III in Drilling Oil/Gas (On shore)
Certificate IV in Drilling Operations
Certificate IV in Drilling Oil/Gas (Off shore).
Certificate IV in Drilling Oil/Gas (On shore).
Drillers’ assistants
Certificate II in Drilling
Certificate II in Drilling Operations
Certificate II in Drilling Oil/Gas (Off shore)
Certificate II in Drilling Oil/Gas (On shore)
MAINTENANCE ROLES
Maintenance Planners
Maintenance Technicians and Mechanical Trade
Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical (Maintenance Diesel Fitting)
Maintenance Engineer (on and offshore)
Metal Trades*
Metal Trades Apprentices
Electrical And Instrumentation Trades*
Electrical and Instrumentation Technicians
Electrician
Electricians (duel Trade)
Instrumentation Electricians/ Fitters
Certificate III in engineering – Electrical/Electronic.
Certificate III in Engineering – Electrical/Electronic Trade
Diploma of Engineering – Advanced Trade (Mechanical and Electrical)
Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Certificate IV in Electrical Instrumentation
Electrical Team leaders Supervisors
Plant Mechanic
PARAPROFESSIONAL ROLES
Business Improvement Manager
Contract Managers and Specialists
Health and Safety Advisors and Specialists
Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety
Group Leaders (ie Front Line Supervisors)
MARITIME ROLES
Marine 1st Engineer
Marine Engineer
SPECIALIST ROLES
Powerhouse Controllers
Diploma of ESI Generation (Systems Operation)
PROCESS CONTROL ROOM ROLES
Production Area Central Control Room Role
Production Area Process Role
Production Area Utilities Role
PRODUCTION TECHNICIANS
Minerals Process Plant Operator
Process Technicians (Gas Oil)
Production Technicians#
Certificate IV in Process Plant Technology
Diploma of Process Plant Technology
Advanced Diploma of Process Plant Technology
NON TECHNICAL ROLES
Purchasing, Transport and Logistics
Warehousing and Logistics Technicians
Procurement Officers
Miscellaneous
Page 24

Facility Security Officer Role
Certificate III in Security Operations
Road Train - Truck Drivers
HC and/or MC class licences
Train Drivers
Certificate IV in Transport and Distribution (Rail Operations)
Energy Skills Queensland identified six critical issues which they link to meeting skills and labour demand.
Issue
Affected Occupational Groups
1
. Critical shortfall in labour supply
Professional, technical and non technical or unskilled groups.
2
. Critical shortfall in skills supply
Professional, technical and non technical or unskilled groups.
3.
Potential for graduates not to be competent in meeting workplace requirements - occurs in bother the professional and technical occupational groupings.
Professional and technical
4.
Inadequate capacity and capability of education and training organisation to respond to growth in demand for graduates.
5.
Off the shelf generic competency based training packages misaligned with industry needs.
Technical
6.
Replacement demand – loss of skills, experience and knowledge dues to aging workforce.
OPERATION CRITICAL JOB ROLES
Mineral and petroleum companies were asked to identify job roles which if not filled would cause disruption to the meeting of core business - the following where identified.
Maritime Skills
Coxswain Role
Maintenance Roles
Marine 1st Engineer Role
Crane Operator Role
Marine Chief Engineer/Officer Role
Electrical Supervisor
Marine Engine Room Watchkeeper Role
Electricians
Marine Engineer Watchkeeper Role
Instrumentation Electricians/ Fitters
Marine Integrated Ratings Role
Mechanical Role
Marine Master Role
Permit Control Officer Role
Marine Navigation Officer Role
Recognised Person Electrical Role
Marine Navigational Watchkeeper Role
Senior Electrical Officer Role
Medical and Emergency Response Roles
Management and Planning
Medic Assistant Role
Mine / Quarry Manager
Medic Role
Petro physicist
Emergency Coordinator Role
Reservoir Engineer
Emergency Team Leader Role
Powerhouse Controller
Emergency Team Member Role
Emergency Commander Role
Control Room Operators
CCR Scribe Role
Refinery Process Controller
Facility Security Officer Role
Mineral Central Control Room Role
Fast Rescue Craft Role
Fire Rescue
Operator Technician Roles
Muster Checker Role
Mineral Processing Technician / Plant Operator
Muster Coordinator Role
Refinery Process Technician
Production Area Utilities Role
Port and Shiploading Roles
Hatch Officer
Miscellaneous Roles
Shiploader Operator
Helicopter Landing Officer Role
Train Drivers
Page 25

EMERGING OCCUPATIONS
Uranium mining will require Radiation Safety Officers, who monitor radiation at mine sites and individuals must have a Bachelor of Science degree.
With the increase in automation of mining activities one likely emerging occupation is that of Automation Technician. The most likely VET qualifications to provide some of the foundation skills and knowledge for this occupation are:
• U
EE30807 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
• U
EE31207 Certificate III in instrumentation and Control
•
MEM30405 Certificate III in Engineering – Electrical / Electronics
•
UEE30207 Certificate III in Computer Systems Equipment
•
UEE30907 Certificate III in Electronics and Communication
•
UEE40607 Certificate IV in Electrotechnology Systems Electrician
•
UEE40207 Certificate IV in Electrical Data and Voice Communication
•
UEE40907 Certificate IV in Industrial Electronics and Control
•
UEE40407 Certificate IV in Electrical Instrumentation
•
MMEM40105 Certificate IV in Engineering
•
UEE40107 Certificate IV in Computer Systems
•
UEE40707 Certificate IV in Electronics and Communication
LNG is a relatively new industry to Australia (in large scale terms) with high technology and therefore a skills capability gap exists at a highly technical and senior level.
DECLINING OCCUPATIONS
•
No declining occupations have been identified.
Workforce Sources
Prior to the 2008 global economic downturn the minerals and exploration sectors of Western Australia has experienced some difficulty in recruiting and retaining skilled personnel and this was impacting on expansion projects and immediate productivity.8
The Petroleum industry has traditionally drawn on the national and global pool of petroleum and offshore drilling professionals to recruit personnel. Countries such as Norway, the UK, the Middle East and the USA are used to source professionals.
The resources sector has a number of large development projects underway or planned. The construction phase of these projects will require significant number of skilled tradespersons and labours.
Major investment projects in the under-construction category are dominated by iron ore and LNG projects. Major Western Australia projects include
Project
Investment
Status
Construction Workforce
Operational Workforce
Gorgon Joint Venture
$43 billion
Committed
3500
300
Kimberley Browse LNG Precinct
$20 billion
Committed
3500
360
Woodside’s Pluto Train 1 LNG Plant
$12 billion
Commenced
4200
200
BHP Billiton’s Rapid Growth Project 5
$5.3 billion
Commenced
Sino Iron’s Pellet Project
$5.2 billion
Commenced
4000
500
Oakajee Port and Rail development
$4 billion
Committed
Western Areas’ Flying Fox; Spotted Quoll and Lounge Lizard nickel projects
$3.8 billion
Committed
Perdamen Chemical’s Coal to Urea Plant
$3.7 billion
Committed
1500
200
Newmont’s Boddington gold copper mine
$3.7 billion
Commenced
1500
650
8 Chamber of Minerals and Energy, 2005, Sustainable Minerals Sector Workforce

Chevron’s Wheatstone LNG
$3 billion
Committed
3000
300
BHP Billiton’s Rapid Growth Project 4
$2.1 billion
Committed
3500
Worsley Alumina’s refinery expansion
$2.5 billion
Commenced
1500
200
Australia is a highly urbanised country with approximately 89% of the population living in towns of 1000 people or more. Over half of the population live in the five large coastal cities. Australian also has a relatively mobile population with 17% of the population moving on average each year.
The combination of a preference for urban living and population mobility has led to migration away from the regional and remote areas.
Much of Australia’s mineral wealth in located in the North West and Eastern Goldfields regions which are remote and considered harsh environments. While in the past mining companies have constructed residential towns in these locations it has become uneconomic to do so. Current practice has seen a reliance on long distance commuting (LDC), fly in fly out (FIFO), ship in ship out (SISO) and drive in drive out (DIDO), all of which have replaced township development with residential camp development. Residential camps and townships differ in that camps are used solely for the purpose of accommodating and feeding the workforce where as townships provided the buildings and social infrastructure for not only employees but their families and service providers.
FLY IN FLY OUT (FIFO)
Fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) began in the offshore petroleum industry in the late 1940s. There was a rapid grown in FIFO in the 1970 and is largely driven by the expansion of remote resource projects.
Whilst there is a strong business case for resource companies to employ local labour, FIFO employment is likely to be an increasing feature of resource sector operations. The high proportion of FIFO workers is due to a number of factors, including the lack of suitably skilled local people; lack of family accommodation either available in the local community or provided by companies; and the desire of many mine personnel and their families to live in areas with greater amenities such as cities.
From the beginning of the resources industry to the 1950s numerous small mining towns were established. These towns were built as a response to the poor capacity and reliability of the transportation systems to delivery employees; goods and services.
Historically, mining operations employed a township model. In the 1960s to mid 1980s the States mineral boom relied on residential workforces. The development and management of many of these town sites were funded by the resource companies. Late in this period company towns became part of the local government structure. From the mid 1980s to the present economic reform and a response to global competiveness pressures the establishment of town sites was replaced by FIFO practices.
Throughout the world FIFO has replaced the development of residential townships as a means of accommodating employees (professional, skilled and unskilled) for remote resource operations. The last residential mining town constructed in Australia was Olympic Dam in South Australia in the mid 1980s.
In the mid 1980s FIFO began to emerge as a cost-effective way to address skills shortages, to increase efficiency, and to avoid some of the social problems that can arise from developing a ‘mining town’. The growth of the resources sector since that time and the attendant pressure on local housing supply has led to an increasing reliance on long-distance commuting.
It must also be recognised that FIFO provides opportunities for jobseekers living in communities where there are few local employment opportunities, thus contributing to the economy of those communities as well as the communities at the mine sites. FIFO is also appropriate for construction and expansion projects that initially require large numbers of people for a limited period of time.
About 50 % of the mining operations in Western Australia use FIFO. Drive-in; drive-out (DIDO) is a factor of the relative proximity of resource sector operations to large regional centres with pre- existing levels of social infrastructure, providing the necessary amenity for relatively large populations to develop with necessary economic stimulus from government and employment growth from industry.
Page 27

FIFO rosters vary but common patterns are two weeks on, one week off, or nine days on with five days off. Domestic commute rosters are typically 2 days, 2 nights and 5 days off. 12 hour shifts are the common practice. Whilst many workers enjoy FIFO and the benefits it brings, there is also a higher than normal turnover in the FIFO workforce as some workers find the lifestyle difficult to maintain as family commitments increase.
FIFO will continue to be a response to local skills shortages. In reality, even if the issues relating to increasing participation of all unemployed and underemployed people, including women, Indigenous people, and older workers, are addressed, many remote and regional areas where the minerals and energy sector operates do not have a large enough local population of working age to meet the needs of the minerals and energy sector. In a nation with a diversity of regional growth, it is imperative that there be a balanced approach between FIFO and local community development.
In 2001 Professor Keith Storey identified factors inhibiting the development of new townships in remote locations including:
•
Costs of building and operating new resource towns;
•
Absence of government financial support for township development;
•
Longer lead time for new town approvals and construction;
•
Environmental implications of new town construction;
•
Administrative implications of managing a town;
•
Increased costs associated with town closure once the resources have been exhausted or the operation is no longer viable.
Professor storey also identified the following as factors encouraging FIFO:
•
Improved quality if communications;
•
Improvements in the safety; reliability and cost of air travel;
•
Lover turnover and absenteeism levels in FIFO personnel;
•
Preference for metropolitan over rural living by workers and their families
With inadequate manpower within Western Australia’s regional areas most remote mine sites rely on fly in fly out. Employees who participate in fly in fly out are sourced primarily from Perth and Geraldton with others being sourced from around Australia’s major centres.
Public awareness campaigns are required to raise awareness of lifestyle, job and career opportunities in the minerals and energy sector, especially in Western Australia where east to west migration is problematic. However, there are some key factors which mitigate against mobility to areas of minerals and energy operation, including housing affordability, for example in Perth and regional Western Australia; housing availability, for example in the Pilbara and other regional centres; regional infrastructure issues; schooling and childcare availability; and concerns or lack of knowledge about family and social impacts of intra/interstate migration or a FIFO lifestyle.
Increased labour mobility for apprentices requires additional infrastructure and on-site support, particularly for young apprentices working away from home. In addition, apprenticeship training models must be structured to take account of rosters and travel while maintaining the requirements of on and off-the-job training within operational imperatives of enterprises.
SOURCING EMPLOYEES FROM OVERSEAS
The resources industry has experienced difficulty in recruiting qualified and experienced professional in a number of areas and has relied on Subclass 457 BUSINESS (LONG STAY) Visas to recruit personnel from overseas. The traditional source countries for migrants in the minerals industry have been the United Kingdom, North America, New Zealand and South Africa. Professionals that have been sourced from overseas include geologists, mining engineers, geophysics, mechanical engineering technician, engineering manager, civil engineer, mechanical engineer and metal fabricators.
The petroleum industry sources its professional migrants from Scotland, Norway and other petroleum producing counties. Professions sought include petroleum engineer, reservoir engineers, subsea engineers and ship's engineers.
The Department of Immigrations and Citizenship reports the current number of 457 visa holders in Western Australia as:
•
3300 in the mining
•
290 transport and warehousing Page 28

•
40 professional; scientific and technical
•
980 accommodation and food services
There has been a reduction in the number of Subclass 457 Business (Long Stay) visa applications during the last six months but the following number of applications have occurs.
Sponsor Industry
2009-10 to 31 /01/10
Mining
810
Professional; Scientific and Technical
20
Accommodation and Food Services
100
Engineering - Civil
80
Primary visa applications lodged in November 2009 were 46% lower than November 2008. However; applications were 14% higher than October 2009.
Application rates are steadily rising towards the levels prior to 14 September 2009 when the Migration Legislation Amendment (Worker Protection) Act 2008 was introduced. Primary visa grants in November 2009 were 43% lower than November 2008. However; grants were 21% higher than October 2009.
The number of primary visa holders in Australia was 12% lower at the end of November 2009 compared to February 2009; when there was a peak of Subclass 457 primary visa holders in Australia.
Application rates in the Subclass 457 Business (Long Stay) Visa at the end of the 2008-09 program year have been significantly lower than those of the corresponding period in the 2007-08 program year; reflecting the different economic conditions of the 2008-09 program year compared to the previous year.
The number of primary Subclass 457 visa applications lodged in June 2009 was 45% lower than June 2008; when there was a peak of 6270 primary applications lodged. Applications in June 2009 were 38% lower than September 2008. There was a slight increase (6%) in the total number of primary Subclass 457 visa applications lodged in June 2009 compared to May 2009.
The number of Subclass 457 primary visa applications lodged in November 2009 was 46% lower than November 2008; but was 14% higher than October 2009.
There was a decline in visa application rates in September and October 2009 compared with previous months due in part to the introduction of the Migration Legislation Amendment (Worker Protection) Act 2008 on 14 September 2009 and the new requirements. However; on a week-by week basis; application rates have been steadily increasing throughout October and November 2009 as employers become familiar with the new requirements. The following table contains Migration Program Outcomes for 2005-06 to 2008-09 and Planning Levels for 2009-10.
Employer Sponsored
15,230
16,590
23,760
38,030
35,000
Skilled Independent
49,860
54,180
5, 890
44,590
41,600
State/Territory Sponsored
8,020
6,930
7,530
14, 060
11,200
Skilled Australian Sponsored
19,060
1,4170
14,580
10,500
12,300
Distinguished Talent
100
230
210
200
200
Business Skills
5,060
5,840
6,570
7,400
7,800
Total
97,340
97,920
108,540
114,780
108,100
Employer Sponsored Immigration
Demand in the Employer Sponsored immigration increased from 21,023 lodgements in 2006-07; to 28,866 in 2007-08 and 42,049 in 2008-09.
The Employer Sponsored category outcome for 2008-09 was 38,026 an increase of 60.0% (14,264 places) on 2007-2008 year.
This outcome is comprised of three components:
1
. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) with an outcome of 27,150.
2
. Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) with an outcome of 8,811.
3.
Labour Agreement (LA) with an outcome of 2,065. Page 29

The 2008-09 Employer Sponsored outcomes now comprises 33.1% of the Skill Stream compared to 21.9% in 2007-08 and 16.9% in 2006-07.
Demand in this category is high and; accordingly; the planning level for 2008-09 was increased from an initial level of 28,000 to a revised level of 37,080. This compares to 22,800 in 2007-08. As at 30 June 2009; there were 12,287 on hand applications for visas in the Employer Sponsored category; with an average of 3,500 applications received every month (2,400 applications per month in 2007- 08). The continuation of this high number of applications is crucial to the delivery of the 2009-10 planning level of 35,000.
Barriers to Employment
For many unemployed, underemployed, females and indigenous individuals the barriers to employment in the minerals and energy sector include the lack of foundation language, literacy and numeracy skills; the lack of employability skills such as communication skills, teamwork, problem- solving, planning and self-management as well as a general lack of fitness for work. For many the lack of basic education or lack of local training opportunities reduces their ability to gain the skills needed for the minerals sector workforce
To work in the resources sector the following are pre-requite and therefore may be considered by many as barriers to entry into the industry.
1.
Fit for work – a pre-employment medical fitness examination is usually required as is a drug screen.
2.
The ability to read and write English
3.
Colour blindness may limit employment opportunities
4.
Minimum age of 18 years unless an apprentice.
Many prescription drugs are not allowed to be used by resource employees and this along with ongoing drug and alcohol testing may prohibit an individual from obtaining or retention of employment.
The lack of an industry recognised national entry-level qualification impacts on the ability to identify pathways into the sector, resulting in examples of training being undertaken with no employment outcome. This is sometimes due to the lack of industry relevant work experience and working conditions during training. The lack of employment outcomes frustrates jobseekers, training providers and employers. An understanding of the way the minerals and energy sector operate, their skills needs and their recruitment practices is necessary for any entry level training to be considered as relevant and appropriate by employers.
Although mine sites prefer qualified and experienced personnel; during skills shortages most will take on unskilled personnel and train them as equipment operators, miners or process plant operators. Individuals who have obtained mobile plant and heavy vehicle licences as well as WorkSafe tickets for conducting high risk work are often looked favourably upon over persons without relevant tickets.
WHAT MAKES EMPLOYMENT LESS ATTRACTIVE?
Many people choose not to seek employment in the resources sector, particularly if it involves relocating from a metropolitan area to a regional area or Interstate or if moving from another industry sector. There are financial barriers to relocation to remote and regional areas and concerns over return on investment and affects on the family.
The minerals sector has a culture of full-time work and long hours also impacts on its ability to attract and retain people. Ten to twelve hour days and rosters for anywhere from 5 days to 3 weeks can be found.
Fly in fly out (FIFO) employment is becoming the main method of employment for many remote operations and this requires employees to be transported to the exploration site, mine site or platform for the duration of their swing. A swing may consist from 5 to 21 days onsite followed by a period of time when employees are transported back to a major centre/airport for a period of rest and recreation with their family.
Some conditions at fly in fly out sites make working in the industry unattractive.
• F
ear of flying
Helicopters and small planes are often used to transport personnel to site. Page 30

WA Resources Industry Environmental Scan Outlines Skills & Labour Demands

WA Resources Industry Environmental Scan Outlines Skills & Labour Demands

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