The South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME) has commissioned new reporting to plan labour requirements for the SA resources sector.
The report commission intends to assist with workforce planning due to the demand for skilled workers in the resources sector set to increase over the next four years.
The report commission was made after SACOME called on the SA Government to prioritise funding for the resources sector in early June and it welcoming the SA 2023–24 Budget and its “support-focused” approach a couple of weeks later.
The expected four-year increase is said to be driven by factors such as record exploration activity, development of key mining and renewable energy projects, baseline demand for staff to work in operations, shutdowns and construction, as well as the increased need for critical minerals that will drive the global energy transition like uranium, copper and iron ore.
According to SACOME, the resources sector workforce demand is currently around 17,500 in the third quarter of 2023 (Q3 2023) and is expected to steadily rise to a forecast peak of approximately 35,000 workers by Q4 2027.
9500 additional workers are required for uranium, gold and copper related projects and operations and 2450 additional workers are required for iron ore related projects and operations by Q4 2027. 8000 additional workers are also needed for renewable energy projects by Q2 2026.
To help address the workforce shortages, SACOME’s ‘Resources. But not as you know it’ campaign aims to promote the wide range of career opportunities on offer throughout the resources sector. It helps people find the right career for them through providing case study videos, example study pathways and links to current job opportunities.
“Whether you’re a school leaver considering your future career or a skilled tradesperson or professional with existing experience, there is no better time to join the SA resources sector, a sector which underpins the State’s economy,” SACOME chief executive officer Rebecca Knol said.
“At the forefront of technology and innovation, the resources sector is playing a pivotal role in the transition to net zero and requires a diverse range of skills and workers to facilitate exploration, production and utilisation of our State’s resources to support a greener future.”