The head of Queensland resources peak body said the demand for jobs in the state's mining industry will continue to grow for the next five years but warned the skill set also needed to increase with it.
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QRC CEO Ian Macfarlane has used the body's latest State of the Sector report to say the world's increasing demand for traditional resources will be complemented by growing demand for new economy minerals to build everything from microchips to electric vehicles.
"This demand will provide a growing and increasingly diverse pipeline of jobs for Queenslanders, with the National Skills Commission projecting employment in Queensland resources to grow by a further 8pc to 2025," Mr Macfarlane said.
Mr Macfarlane said the high-tech future would transform Queensland resource operations which were increasingly looking to digital devices and data to turn their sector high-tech.
"Everything from remote sensing for mine site rehabilitation to remote operating practices will help operations lower costs, increase safety and reduce waste," he said.
"Given the benefits on offer, it's no surprise that according to this quarter's survey, 78pc of member CEOs considered digital initiatives important to the success of their organisation".
The same QRC survey found 89pc of member CEOs said digital initiatives would be important to the success of their organisation in three years' time, with one third of CEOs labelling digital initiatives as extremely important.
Mr Macfarlane said the challenge for the Queensland resources sector will be ensuring the future supply of skills necessary for a high-tech resources sector and demand for STEM graduates will increase over the next five years.
"Attracting and retaining skilled employees is now the top concern for QRC member CEOs (who) are taking proactive steps to build skills and ready their workforce for the future," he said.
"Several CEOs said their organisations are looking to provide on-site training and development activities to enhanceand upskill their existing employees. Others are looking to the next generation of workers."
Mr Macfarlane said the key message from member CEOs is that industry must partner with government, training organisations and other stakeholders to secure the skills pipeline of the future.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
