Australia's Mining Industry Is In A Recruiting Crisis As They Fail To Attract Gen Z Workers

Australia's mining industry is struggling to attract Gen Z workers and is in the middle of a recruiting crisis.

The ABC claims the industry is suffering from a 'critical worker shortage' as young people avoid signing themselves up.

The Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association (AREEA) has revealed they need a massive uptick in hires if they're to maintain the more than 100 projects across the country.

The Association explained in a report that at least 24,000 new workers will be needed over the next five years.

AREEA chief executive Steve Knott said: "Our industry is battling the worst skills crisis in a generation.

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"This is threatening the continuity of existing operations, resulting in temporary or permanent production downgrades, and driving other workforce issues including historic levels of staff turnover."

If more workers don't sign up, then it's unknown how the 107 coal, gold and critical minerals projects currently in progress will be able to last.

There are loads of reasons why the younger generation isn't fazed with the mining industry, however one could certainly be that they're more environmentally-conscious.

The Queensland Resources Council believes misinformation about the mining industry has caused many in the Gen Z category to unfairly criticise what they do.

Chief executive Ian Macfarlane said (via the ABC): "The first roadblock to getting young people on board is a constant barrage on social media, which gives them a false impression of the industry and the opportunities that lie in there."

He added that the job opportunities in the mining industry are huge compared to other jobs.

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"There are highly paid jobs waiting for you in an industry that is doing everything it can to improve its environmental and social performance," he said.

Mining giant BHP’s chief financial officer, David Lamont, said they have no problem with the cost of labour, but the labour itself, according to News Corp.

He adds that the Covid-19 pandemic stopped a regular flow of international migrants from signing up.

“We previously have been able to rely on immigration to assist here in Australia to offset some of the wage needs that we have, whether that’s a cleaner at a worksite all the way through to our skilled staff that we need to operate the business," he said at the The Australian’s Strategic Business Forum.

“So labour productivity is a key focus, but skills and the shortage of skills is also the major issue for us, if you have a look not only directly in our own operations, but the communities that we operate within.”

Who knows what will happen to the industry in the next few years.