The results from an MPi poll show overwhelming agreement on the best way to solve the nation’s mining skills shortage.
The best solution to the mining skills shortage is to back Australian workers for mining jobs, according to new data from Mining People.
As new strains of the coronavirus present more travel restrictions, both the mining industry and the Australian government have ideas about how to manage the resulting skills shortage.
We polled our readers in July 2021 to find out if they were being impacted by a mining skills shortage and what they believed was the best solution to fix the problem.
Just under 80% believe the answer lies with an Australian workforce.
Of the 99 people who answered the poll, 77.8% said the skills shortage was impacting their mine site. Nearly equal amounts reported it as being a little problem (38.4%) and a big problem (39.4%). Only 16.2% said it wasn’t a problem at all.
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MPi Poll – July 2021 |
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Skills shortage affecting your site? |
Count |
Ratio |
|
A little bit, I wouldn’t say it’s a major problem |
38 |
38.4% |
|
I don’t know |
6 |
6.0% |
|
No, not at all |
16 |
16.2% |
|
Yes, it’s a big problem |
39 |
39.4% |
What’s the answer to the latest skills shortage?
Every major industry publication and peak body are warning of impending problems due to a lack of available skills compounded by a global pandemic. The mining skills shortage was all anyone wanted to talk about at Diggers and Dealers 2021. We wanted to know what our readers think is the best way forward.
We asked respondents to rank what they believed is the best solution to the skills shortage. The results showed a clear consensus on getting and keeping Australian workers in the mining industry.
Australian workers are clearly the first choice.
Across the board, respondents voted to get people into mining jobs, or get them to return to mining.
- 48% - Employ people who are keen to get a start in mining and give them the training they need.
- 7% - Encourage already trained and skilled local workers who have left the industry to return.
- 3% - Introduce special visas to allow already trained and skilled workers to come from overseas.
As a second choice, the Australian workforce still comes out on top.
- 3% - Encourage already trained and skilled local workers who have left the industry to return.
- 9% - Employ people who are keen to get a start in mining and give them the training they need.
- 8% - Introduce special visas to allow already trained and skilled workers to come from overseas.
Allowing skilled workers to come in from overseas was clearly the least attractive choice, with a high percentage of respondents selecting it as the third option.
- 2% - Introduce special visas to allow already trained and skilled workers to come from overseas.
- 7% - Employ people who are keen to get a start in mining and give them the training they need.
- 1% - Encourage already trained and skilled local workers who have left the industry to return.
Management on board for a long-term solution
Industry leadership is clearly looking for a sustainable solution to ongoing mining skills shortages. Just over 60% of people taking the poll said they were a manager or supervisor, so the ranked results reflect a commitment to training a local workforce. With a previous poll showing the need to invest in intergenerational training, we may be seeing a perfect storm to encourage investment in Australian workers.
If you’d like help finding local talent for your mine site, get in touch with Mining People. If you’re looking for a job in the mining industry, make sure to register your details with us.