Workforce, innovation and skills
A highly skilled and technologically advanced future workforce will be required for the specialist mining occupations into the future.
Overview
Australia’s minerals industry depends on a skilled, adaptable and future-ready workforce. As technology, automation and AI continue to reshape the industry, workforce needs are evolving and demand is growing for a broader mix of technical, professional and trade capabilities.
The industry’s future success will be shaped not only by access to workers, but by the quality of education and training pathways, the responsiveness of workforce policy settings and the industry’s ability to attract, develop and retain talent over the long term.
The modern mining workforce increasingly requires leading edge technical skills including advanced engineering and mathematics, robotics and communications. This is in addition to the traditional employment in engineering, trades, chemistry and environmental science that continue to be in high demand.
Through research, policy development and partnerships, the MCA supports the workforce capability needed to meet the industry’s future skills and workforce requirements. The MCA has invested over $65 million into minerals higher education since 2000, and in partnership with universities across the country has helped strengthen the talent pipeline that underpins the industry’s workforce needs.
Policy priorities
Workforce strategies
Implement workforce strategies (including new job classifications) focused on building capability to attract and retain a future-focused workforce.
Education pathways
Support a mix of modern, accessible education, training and skills pathways, developed in collaboration with industry – including higher and accelerated apprenticeships, micro-credentials and bridging/stackable, short-burst courses.
Collaboration
Enhance collaboration with the METS sector to integrate and increase workforce participation across the mining value chain. Fast track workforce opportunities in allied sectors (including agriculture and defence) by identifying complementary skills.
