New Jobs Taskforce Highlights Australia’s Mining Resources
The future needs of Australia’s mining and resources workforce was discussed at the inaugural meeting of a new jobs taskforce yesterday.
The National Resource Sector Employment Taskforce met in Canberra to discuss the long-term labour and skill requirements of the Australian resources sector.
Chaired by Parliamentary Secretary Gary Gray, the taskforce will report to Senator Mark Arbib and the Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson.
Mr Gray said the resources industry, Queensland and Western Australian governments, and Skills Australia were all well represented on the taskforce.
“The taskforce will examine major Australian resource, energy and infrastructure projects and their employment and skill requirements over the next five years,” Mr Gray said.
“It will also explore how well the education and training sector is positioned to deliver the expected supply of skills.”
Minister for Employment Participation, Senator Mark Arbib, participated in the meeting and was pleased with the aims and direction established by the group.
“The mining and resources industry is a key part of Australia’s economy,” Senator Arbib said.
“It is essential that we have plans in place to make sure we have enough workers with the right skills and qualifications to meet the future demands of this sector.”
The Taskforce will consider the capacity of employment service providers to maximise employment for Indigenous people, unemployed people and retrenched workers.
The establishment of the taskforce was announced by the Prime Minister in September, and aims to help secure up to 70,000 skilled workers for the sector.
One of the first projects the taskforce will consider is the Gorgon LNG project in Western Australia, which is expected to create up to 10,000 jobs directly and indirectly.
The next meeting of the taskforce is scheduled for February 2010, and a discussion paper will be released for public comment.
The terms of reference and taskforce membership is available at www.deewr.gov.au/nrset
Topics: Australia, Australian Resources Sector, Canberra, economic development, economic growth, Economy, employment, energy, Governance, infrastructure, jobs, mining, National Resource Sector Employment Taskforce, natuaral resources, New Jobs Taskforce, resources industry
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