Mining tends to not be the hottest topic of conversation for young Australians, as nearly 50% are unaware of the other ways to forge a career in the sector outside of traditional mining jobs.
At the beginning of May 2024, the Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA) developed the ‘Gen Z Perceptions of Mining Report’, which revealed the knowledge and attitudes of young Australians towards the mining industry.
AUSMASA’s findings show that non-traditional mining jobs are a way to boost the sector’s appeal as a viable career path for school leavers.
The report reveals that 24% of young people were interested in mining jobs such as a data scientist, while 23% chose lawyer, 21% business analysis, while 10% chose truck driver and 7% miner.
Further, researchers have found less than a fifth of Australia’s youth speak with their parents or teachers about working in mining.
Although only 17% are speaking about mining careers, the report found that there is a “significant” difference between how many young people, from different states in Australia, speak with key influencers about mining careers.
The report found that 70% of young Western Australians had discussed with others about mining careers, while only 24% from Victoria.
Concurrently, as part of Western Australia’s 2024-25 budget, the Cook Labor government has committed $195 million in new spending to build the state’s skilled workforce and help more locals into jobs.
The government has funded an additional $8 million to continue the fee free TAFE initiative in 2025.
Premier Roger Cook says the state’s budget includes major investment to create training opportunities for local workers.
“To build a range of priority workforces, we continue to make targeted investments in training initiatives like Fee Free TAFE and apprentice incentives to help them complete their training,” he says.
“We have been working with industry and training providers on the best ways to grow our residential construction workforce and are increasing training support to ensure we have the skilled workers needed for emerging areas such as defence and the clean energy transition.”
Western Australia is the nation’s largest state and is home to most of Australia’s largest mining operations.
The International Trade Administration reports there are over 350 operating mine sites across the country and one-third of those lie in Western Australia, while one-quarter in Queensland and one-fifth in New South Wales.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance
