Australian mining needs 21,000 workers by 2024

With a $41billion project pipeline expected to play out in the next 4 years, forecasted demand for onsite skilled workers by 2024 sits at 20,767 new workers.¹  These projections were released in September by the Australian Resources and Energy Group, AMMA.

See below a breakdown of the projected demand by occupation:

• 8,660 mining plant operators;¹
• 2,847 heavy diesel fitters;¹
• 970 other trades, such as electrical, mechanical and maintenance trades;¹
• 4,110 supervisors, management, administration and other white collar roles; and¹
• 4,180 engineers, technicians, geologists and related roles.¹

Without these forecasting strategies, industry and government simply cannot prepare for work demand. The AMMA Chief Executive, Steve Knott AM says, “Australia’s mining industry is facing new workforce demand at levels not seen since the previous investment and construction ‘boom’,”¹

“While demand across the next four years will be far steadier than the unprecedented growth we saw in 2005-2012, it is clear that securing the pipeline of skills to support mining project growth to 2024 will be a significant challenge.¹

“This challenge must be met head-on, collaboratively, by industry and government. Employers, peak industry bodies and state and federal governments are united in our desire to be well prepared for the workforce demands of this next phase of industry growth.¹

“We must avoid a scenario where nationally significant mining projects are delayed by skills shortages, or competing for engineers, trades and skilled operators with the $100 billion worth of public infrastructure projects reportedly in Australia’s pipeline.”¹

Queensland alone will need 5,714 new mining employees as projected by the large coal projects coming online in the next four years. While Western Australia will see the most significant demand.¹

What’s more promising for industry is that these forecasts do not include the 153 prospective mining projects considered by the Department of Industry as ‘possible’ to commence over this timeline.¹ AMMA has taken a conservative approach which also factors in automation, remote operating centres and closure of mining projects that will impact on the workforce.¹

For the complete report please refer to www.amma.org.au

¹https://www.amma.org.au/news-media/media-center/21000-new-mining-workers-required-2024-forecast/