Ride the wave
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday March 23, 2011
Mining is one of several sectors in which demand for workers is set to continue growing over the next few years. IF you're looking for an apprenticeship in an area that is set to boom, look no further than the mining industry.Figures from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations suggest that in the next five years employment in the sector will increase at an average rate of 3.3 per cent annually. That's about 28,000 new jobs a year, or about twice as many as any other industry.Although the number of people directly employed in the industry is relatively small - it makes up about 1.6 per cent of the total workforce - mining has experienced strong job growth in recent years thanks to resources demand from China and other fast-growing Asian economies.Recruitment officer Carol Doherty, from MIGAS Apprentices and Trainees, a not-for-profit training organisation that specialises in the mining and manufacturing industries, said there was a growing demand for young people to enter the field."There are vacancies in trades such as plant mechanics, boiler makers, fitter/machinists and electrical fitters," Ms Doherty said.MIGAS has seen an influx of inquiries from young candidates drawn to the industry by high wages and employment prospects."As a group training organisation, we indenture the apprentices and trainees that come through us and look after them for the term of their apprenticeship."There are still a number of mining companies that do indenture their own apprentices and trainees as well. It is an ageing workforce in the mining industry, especially in some of the more traditional trades."Qualifications received in the mining industry are recognised across a range of sectors, meaning apprentices don't have to stay in mining.Some go on to set up their own businesses. Other boom areas for apprenticeships are likely to be aged care, healthcare, social assistance, construction, scientific and technical services.The construction industry is the fourth-largest employer in Australia, employing 979,600 people, or 8.9 per cent of the total workforce. It is strongly influenced by economic cycles and can be susceptible to skills shortages and an oversupply of other skills.The NSW manager of group training organisation MEGT Colin McCabe said trades were still key areas of employment from an apprentice and trainee perspective."In saying that, it also depends on what trade you are looking at. For example, if a company wanted to take on an electrical apprentice, they're easy to get because everyone wants to be an electrician," Mr McCabe said."If you're looking for a carpentry apprenticeship, there's not many people offering those at the moment.""Most people don't want to take on a first-year apprentice but if you are a second- or third-year apprentice, you are very much in demand." SMH
© 2011 Newcastle Herald
