Recruitment consulting firm Hays has published its annual salary guide, finding that demand for mining engineers has reached critical levels throughout the country as Australia’s booming resources and mining sector  'spearheads our economic recovery.’

 

The report warns that a significant challenge is arising from the shortage of appropriate skills which could 'yet cast a shadow over the resource sector.'

 

It notes that the over the last year, skills shortages have begun to seriously effect the resources sector as expansion projects and aggressive hiring activity has reduced Australia’s candidate pool.

 

New mining operations have driven the labour demand for experienced mine engineers across the country, in both underground and open pit operations.

 

The report comes as the liquefied natural gas industry continues to place increased pressures on labour demand, with new operations starting across the country, including the $16 billion Gladstone project in Queensland.

 

The report noted that `Heavy engineering firms are also very active, and seek senior strategic candidates in response to confidence and the higher value of commodities.'

 

Additional labour demand is evident in localised trends. In Western Australia, environmental, business improvement and maintenance staff are needed. Along with Victoria, WA  also lacks surveying staff, underground staff and Geotechnical Engineers.

 

The discrepancy in wages between Western Australia, which typically outstripped Eastern state counterparts, and the rest of Australia is beginning to contract, placing additional pressure on the WA labour market.

 

The report stated ‘In South Australia, salary levels are still a few steps behind Western Australia and Queensland, but this is offset by the state’s lower living costs, closer proximity of projects to the capital city and attractive FIFO arrangements.’

 

The report found the resources industry is becoming ‘more receptive’ to international applicants, particulary in areas of mining and geotechnical engineering.

 

The full report can be requested from the Hays website here