Australian Oil and Gas Projects Overview 2011

Of the 75 projects listed as advanced by the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resources Economics (ABARE), 41 are in the energy sector.  An advanced project is one which has already commenced construction or has been approved to commence construction.

Of the 75 projects across the total Australian Resource Sector, 67 are already under construction (with 30 of these still underway this year and in 2012) and eight are still to start, but will do so within the next three years.

In addition, there are 286 less advanced projects identified by ABARE which cite an operational date, but not a construction start date – but most are slated to commence production in the period 2012 to 2020.

Together the total number of new jobs anticipated for the combined sectors for the period 2011 to 2015 includes 45,000 in construction, 61,500 in mining operations and 3,200 in oil and gas operations.

Currently there are only a few projects underway in states like New South Wales, Northern Territory and South Australia, but this looks to dramatically change going forward.  The locations where some projects are currently drawing labour from – or anticipate drawing labour from – may change once increased opportunities present in home locations for employees and candidates.

The National Resource Skills Taskforce analysis released in 2010 shows: 

• Construction jobs on new projects could peak at 45,000 in 2012 and 2013, with strong jobs growth for technicians and tradespeople, and machinery operators and drivers.
• In LNG operations, pending the number of LNG trains constructed by 2015, employment could increase by around 3,200 (eg if four new trains are sanctioned and operating in Queensland and six in Western Australia).  There will be strong jobs growth for drillers (Queensland only), operators, electrical trades and mechanical technicians.
• Replacement demand in gas operations could be around 2,000 persons per annum, including approximately 500 retirements.

The report cites emerging shortages at present—mainly engineers and other professional staff with more than five years experience.

At the time of release, the report claimed there was a significant number of unemployed tradespeople.  However, the Taskforce expects labour market tightening will result in skills shortages by late 2011 to early 2012, particularly in Western Australia and some regions of Queensland. As a result, the resources sector could be 36,000 tradespeople short by 2015.

Each year, we provide an update on major mining, oil and gas projects which are already under construction, or are considered to have a strong likelihood of being approved.  The list is not exhaustive, but does provide those working in the industry, or considering working in the industry, with an insight into career opportunities - where they are located and timeframes.

Unless otherwise stated, all dollar figures in the blogs are in Australian dollars.  All information has been attained and extensively researched from current public sources and is true and correct to our best knowledge at this time

Australian Mining Projects Overview 2011

With 61,500 new operational jobs expected in the mining sector alone by 2015, as well as tens of thousands more in the construction stages (according to estimates released in the National Resources Sector Employment Taskforce report in July 2010), the industry is facing a skills shortage that far exceeds that experienced in the five years preceding 2008.

There are currently 75 advanced projects listed by the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resources Economics (ABARE).  Of the 75, 67 are already under construction (with 30 of these still underway in 2011 and 2012) and eight are still to start, but will do so within the next three years.  41 projects are in the energy sector (predominantly coal seam gas/liquefied natural gas), 28 are in mining (predominantly coal and iron ore) and six in mineral processing.

The 286 less advanced projects identified by ABARE cite an operational commencement date, but not a construction start date – but most are slated to commence production in the period 2012 to 2020.

Currently there are only a few projects underway in states like New South Wales, Northern Territory and South Australia, but this looks to dramatically change going forward.  The locations where some projects are currently drawing labour from – or anticipate drawing labour from – may change once increased opportunities present in home locations for employees and candidates.

National Resource Skills Taskforce analysis of 2010 shows: 

• Construction jobs on new projects could peak at 45,000 in 2012 and 2013, with strong jobs growth for technicians and tradespeople, and machinery operators and drivers.
• Employment growth in mining operations is expected to be 4.9 per cent per annum over the next five years, creating around 61,500 new jobs by 2015 due to increased production, driven by demand from Asia.  There will be strong demand for professionals in addition to the skills in point one.
• In addition, further vacancies will occur in mining and gas operations as around 10 per cent of employees leave the sector each year through retirement or transition to other sectors.  Replacement demand in mining operations could be around 16,000 persons per annum, including approximately 3,000 retirements.

The report cites emerging shortages at present—mainly engineers and other professional staff with more than five years experience.

At the time of release, the report claimed there was a significant number of unemployed tradespeople.  However, the Taskforce expects labour market tightening will result in skills shortages by late 2011 to early 2012, particularly in Western Australia and some regions of Queensland. As a result, the resources sector could be 36,000 tradespeople short by 2015.

Each year, we provide an update on major mining, oil and gas projects which are already under construction, or are considered to have a strong likelihood of being approved.  The list is nowhere near exhaustive, but does provide those working in the industry, or considering working in the industry, with an insight into career opportunities - where they are located and timeframes.

What is interesting to note since our update in 2010, is the number of projects that have not met their original cited construction commencement timeframes.  In some cases, projects have been delayed by 12 to 24 months.  Recently Woodside attracted criticism for the delay on its Pluto Project in the north west of Western Australia, but the number of projects identified as part of our review that have fallen well short of their original specified dates, seem to indicate this is a consistent theme.

Disappointingly, six projects The Resource Channel identified as ‘major’ in our last review are not included in this review simply because of the lack of recent information available to the public and in particular the job market.  If we can level criticism at the industry, it is entirely in this space – how can we lament the looming skills shortage when we make it so difficult of those working in the industry or those looking to enter to source the information they need?

Unless otherwise stated, all dollar figures in the blogs are in Australian dollars.  All information has been attained and extensively researched from current public sources and is true and correct to our best knowledge at this time

Living in Western Australia

Living in Western Australia

Western Australia - the ultimate lifestyle destination - offers white sandy beaches, minimal traffic congestion, with more sunny days than any other Australian state and an average yearly temperature of 28 degrees. Whether it's taking a relaxing weekend trip to the Swan Valley or longer trips to the remote regions, an adventurous 4WD tour, sand-dunes or swimming with the whale-sharks on the pristine Ningaloo reef, you're almost guaranteed there will be a blue sky overhead.

More than just an enviable climate and laid-back Aussie lifestyle, Perth offers one of the most buoyant markets in Australia and is the focal point for Resource & Mining, Energy, Oil & Gas and Construction projects. With financial investment of over $125bn on projects in 2010/11 our established business are seeing unlimited growth prospects.

WA offers its residents a unique and unparalleled way of life that is the envy of those who don't live here.

This amazing region offers:

• Relaxed and friendly lifestyle
• Strong sense of community evident in Kimberley towns
• Rich and diverse cultural heritage
• Rewarding work environments or work experiences
• Pristine environment with little or no pollution
• Fantastic recreational experiences on offer including camping, fishing and four-wheel driving

Perth

Perth is a cosmopolitan city of approx 2 million people that is renowned for its easy-going atmosphere and outdoors lifestyle. It offers all the conveniences of a modern capital city while retaining the friendly lifestyle, more often associated with a smaller town. The CBD sits on the banks of the Swan River and is just 15 minutes from world famous white-sand beaches. A 2 hour drive can see you spending the weekend in the world-famous Margaret River wine region, enjoying fine food, internationally-acclaimed wine and some of Australia's best surfing. Perth is a strikingly vibrant city that lies in Western Australia - the only place where you can dive with the world's largest fish - the whale shark, walk amongst the tree tops of ancient trees, sleep under a canopy of stars in the outback, or explore the gorges and wilderness areas.

JobContax currently has a number of Construction and Engineering opportunities based in Western Australia. All jobs come with employer approved 457 visas.

Click the following link to check out the positions:

Jobs in Australia

Gorgon Project Jobs

Gorgon LNG Project - Facts and Figures

GORGON LNG PROJECT

Industry  Oil & Gas (LNG)

Project value  $43 Bn

Project owner  Chevron

Project management  Chevron 47% Exxon Mobil 25% Shell 25% Osaka Gas 1.25% Tokyo Gas 1% Chubu Power Company 0.417%

Construction Period  Final Investment Decision Granted Sept 2009 Expected First Gas 2014

Predicted employment numbers  10,000 Jobs at peak construction

Project Status  Construction Phase Upstream & Down Stream. Ongoing continued work on the construction phase both Upstream & Down Stream to ensure first gas 2014

Project Information

The Gorgon project is Australia's largest single natural gas project. This project plans to develop the Greater Gorgon gas fields, located approximately 130km off North West WA. The Greater Gorgon gas fields contain resources of about 40 trillion cubic feet of gas, Australia's largest known gas resource with an estimated development life of 60 years.

Gorgon will create a vast number of direct and indirect jobs approximately 10,000 throughout Western Australia from Freemantle to Barrow Island. The project has already committed more than $10 billion to Australian industry and is expected to spend a further $20 billion on Australian good and services over the next 4 to 5 years all this helping to boost the local economy.

Gas will be processed at a state of the art onshore facility located on Barrow Island 56km off the north west coast of WA. The gas plant on the island will include 3 LNG Trains capable of producing 15 million tonnes Per annum. A purpose built LNG loading jetty will also be constructed and see approximately three LNG shipments leave the island each week.

The project will also have a domestic gas phase which will produce up to 300 terajoules per day this being a major component of the foundation project. This gas will be transported via a domestic gas pipeline which will run from Barrow Island to a tie in with the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline.

This project had to go through a rigorous environmental assessment before receiving final development approval, with unique fauna on Barrow Island and nearby coral to be protected under certain provisions.

The joint venture partners on the project will also spend in excess of $2 billion on reducing carbon emissions from the gas operations, which will see carbon dioxide injected into a reservoir 2000 metres below Barrow Island. Supply deals worth billions have already been signed with companies in China, India, Japan and South Korea.

JobContax Jobs on the Gorgon Project

Gorgon Project Senior Civils Project Engineers Jobs

Gorgon Project Site Supervisor Jobs

Gorgon Project Construction Foreman Jobs

Gorgon Project Site Manager Jobs

Gorgon Project Project Engineer Jobs

Gorgon Project Project Engineer Precast Jobs

[googlemaps http://maps.google.ie/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=208422676198052454594.0004ab3dc0f8213f33466&ie=UTF8&ll=-24.926295,122.255859&spn=15.083313,32.319031&t=h&vpsrc=6&output=embed&w=550&h=350]

Gorgon Project Site Safety Advisor Jobs

457 Visa Australia

457 Visa

Working with both individuals and corporate clients, JobContax has extensive experience dealing with the 457 visa. Our Australian partners are able to use their local knowlegde, offering fast and friendly services tailored specifically to your needs. Relocation is a big step and is important to get right first time, every time. You need expert advice and support throughout your case - from applying for the 457 visa to employer sponsorship requirements. JobContax can do it all. The Subclass 457 Visa program allows employers to sponsor overseas workers, enabling them to work in Australia on a temporary basis. It is designed for people who initially wish to work for up to 4 years in Australia. The visa is the most commonly used program for employers to sponsor overseas workers in Australia. This program allows applicants to work for up to four years for a sponsoring employer and is restricted to people seeking to be employed in skilled occupations.

Duration

The Subclass 457 visa allows for individuals to work in Australia for a period of between one day and four years. This is one of the more flexible types of Australia visas.

Eligibility

Employers
An employer must be approved as an eligible sponsor before an Australian 457 visa is granted. To achieve approval, an employer must meet a range of criteria set by the Australian Government. Requirements include a demonstrated commitment to employing local labour and a commitment to the training of Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Employees
Employees must be sponsored by an eligible employer to fill a nominated position. A full listing of eligible nominated occupations can be found in the Employer Nomination Scheme List. Employees must have skills, qualifications, experience and an employment background which match those required for the position, as well as demonstrated English language proficiency. Certain character and health requirements must also be met.

Applying for a 457 visa

There are three stages in the processing of the 457 visa: sponsorship, nomination and visa application.

Before individuals can apply for a 457 visa, they must first ensure the sponsoring employer is an approved sponsor. All of JobContax's Australian partners are approved ECPM contarctors.

Employers must submit an application to be a sponsor and are required to meet all eligibility requirements.

The employer must then nominate the position to be filled, along with details of the skills required for the position, the rate of pay and the name of the prospective overseas employee.

The employee then applies for a visa to work in Australia. To lodge a visa application the sponsorship and nomination must have been lodged with or prior to the visa application.

JobContax have helped numerous numerous construction and engineering professionals through the process. Once the employer decides to sponsor someone, the process only takes a couple of months.

Be sure to check out JobContax's current Australian 457 visa approved jobs.

Gorgon Project Job Interviews | London Aug 26/27 | Dublin Aug 28/29/30

Construction and Engineering Jobs in Australia

JobContax in association with our Australian partners are currently recruiting for a number of large civils projects in Australia. We are currently looking for Project Engineers and Construction Supervisors to work on the $43 Billion  Gorgon LNG Project. The Australian contractor is flying over to conduct interviews in London on August 26/27 and in Dublin on August 28-30. Visit our Gorgon Project Jobs page for full job details.

All roles come with excellent packages including relocation costs and employer sponsored family Australian 457 visas. These positions represent a fantastic opportunity to progress your career and gain large project experience. For more information on Australian 457 Visas and the Gorgon Project click the links below:

Gorgon LNG Project information         

 Australian 457 Visa information

To be considered for interview, apply through our website, www.jobcontax.com, for the job or jobs which you feel you are qualified for and one of our consultants will contact you and explain the interview process in detail.

Contact Details

Website: www.jobcontax.com
   E-Mail:  info@jobcontax.com
   Skype:   JobContax
   Phone: 353-1-7978720

        

What is an Australian 457 Visa?

All JobContax Jobs come with Australian 457 Visas

All jobs in Australia on www.JobContax.com come with 457 visa attached.  Due to the shortage of experienced skilled Construction and Engineering professionals in Australia, suitable foreign national are being offered 4 year working visas (457) by employers. The 457 visa entitles the bearer and their family to live and work in Australia.

The 457 visa is the most commonly used program for Australian or overseas employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers to work in Australia temporarily. The full title of this subclass of visa isTemporary Business (Long Stay) - Standard Business Sponsorship (Subclass 457).

Requirements

Employers must be approved by the Australian government as an eligible employer. Employees must obtain a new visa and sponsorship if they wish to move to another sponsor.Holders of this visa may be employed for a period of between one day and four years and may bring any eligible family members, including same-sex partners, who have unrestricted work and study rights in Australia. Holders of the Subclass 457 visa have no limit on the number of times they travel in and out of Australia.

Employees must also meet minimum levels of qualifications and English language skills, in addition to character and health requirements. Whilst the employer can nominate a person for the particular position they are trying to fill, it is the Department of Immigration and Citizenship that assess and determine whether the criteria for visa grant have been met.

Conversion to permanent residency

457 visa holders can convert to Australian permanent residency status. It is common for 457 visa holders to apply for a permanent Australia residents visa with a view to permanently settle in Australia and become Australian citizens. There has been a recent increase in the number of grants of permanent residence visas to people who last held a Subclass 457 visa.  However there is Australian parliamentary concern regarding overseas agents falsely marketing permanent residency to Australia.

 

Australia Pacific LNG project approved

Australia Pacific LNG - one of Australia’s largest LNG export projects, comprising world-class coal seam gas resources and a LNG facility on Curtis Island off Gladstone in Queensland – has been approved for development. The Final Investment Decision is to proceed with the initial construction of one train and common facilities for a two train development.

The project’s first LNG exports are scheduled to start in mid 2015, and are underpinned by a 4.3mtpa sale and purchase agreement with China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec Corp.). The approval of the second LNG train is expected in time to enable its start up in early 2016.

Early site works for the project, including mobilisation on Curtis Island have commenced and long lead items have been ordered to maintain the project schedule. Australia Pacific LNG, a 50-50 joint venture between ConocoPhillips and Origin Energy, already employs 1,600 people, mostly in Queensland, and will create 6,000 construction jobs and 1,000 operational jobs for the ongoing operation of the project. The project consists of the further development of the APLNG’s CSG fields, a gas transmission pipeline to the Queensland coast and a gas processing plant and associated facilities where the gas will be cooled and liquefied for shipping overseas.   Origin will be responsible for the development and management of the CSG facilities including the gas fields and pipeline and ConocoPhillips will be responsible for the construction and management of the LNG plant.

The gas fields and pipeline components of the project will generate a peak workforce of approximately 3,000 workers during the development and construction phase and approximately 1,000 during the operational phase.  The LNG facility component of the project will generate a peak workforce of approximately 2,100 workers during the construction phase.  A workforce of around 100 is estimated to be required to operate the first LNG train at the LNG facility, with around 75 further people required for each additional train.

Australia - Skilled Migration Programme Overview

Australia’s skilled migration program is being updated as a result of government plans to attract the best migrants into the country. On July 1st the Australian government introduced the first stage of their new immigration program and it could mean significant changes for people who are interested in relocating to Australia. The changes, which represent a move away from the previous migration Occupations in Demand list to a new skilled occupation list is, according to Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), “designed to select the best and brightest skilled migrants" and attract people into the country who have the skills that Australia needs to improve their economic outlook. "The target groups are engineering, medical profession, nursing, scientist etc," said assistant secretary of Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship Peter Speldewinde.

One prominent change in the migration program rules includes the inclusion of higher points for English language skills. However, this has received a great deal of criticism from many organizations, which claim that the DIAC is discriminating against candidates from none-English speaking countries. In addition changes in the skilled occupation list and English speaking requirements, the age limit on skill migration has also been increased: "The age limit for unsponsored applicants is being raised from 45 to 50 if they have the required qualifications and experience," Peter Speldewinde, assistant secretary, labour market branch, Australian department of immigration and citizenship, announced recently. Other changes to the rules include the recognition of degrees from colleges and universities outside Australia.

An expression of interest model that is similar to that in use in New Zealand will be implemented July 1st 2012 and interested applicants will be able to complete a self-assessment online followed by a formal expression of interest. Once this has been completed the candidates will wait to receive an invitation to apply if suitable vacancies arise for their skill sets. "The EOIs will be held on a register and people on that register will be ranked according to what point they score. Australian government would periodically issue advertisement about the job offers and those with high scores on the points test would be invited," Speldewinde said. However, speaking to UK newspaper The Telegraph, Catherine Burnett, a spokesperson for the migration consultancy Migration Matters, criticized this system: “Currently under the General Skilled Migration System, if you meet the legislative criteria you are entitled to the grant of a visa. With an expression of interest scheme, this removes that impartiality and also removes any possibility of appealing if your expression of interest is not selected.

“This is certainly politically expedient for a government under pressure from several directions regarding immigration, but whether this is ultimately of any benefit to Australia is a complex issue.” The Australian government is currently planning on admitting 126,000 people under the Skilled Migration Programme over the next year with this figure representing approximately two thirds of the overall migrant intake.

Chevron's Wheatstone LNG project to generate 6500 jobs

CHEVRON'S planned $30 billion Wheatstone liquefied natural gas project is expected to begin within months after the West Australian Environmental Protection Authority approved the development today. But the EPA recommended the US energy giant take significant measures to reduce the unusually high level of carbon emissions from the project, which is to be built near Onslow in WA’s Pilbara region.

Emissions from the project would increase Australia’s greenhouse-gas emission levels by 1.7 per cent, over 2006-07 readings, and WA’s levels by 13.5 per cent. The project would emit 10 million tonnes of greenhouse gases every year. The EPA’s report will be sent to WA Environment Minister Bill Marmion for final approval. Approval is also required from federal Environment Minister Tony Burke. “The EPA has assessed the proposal for the Wheatstone development and believes that the proposal can be implemented with appropriate management to limit environmental impacts to an acceptable level,” the EPA report said.

 Chevron’s Australian operations head, Roy Krzywosinski, said last month that work on Wheatstone should begin before the end of the year; the project will generate 6500 direct jobs at peak construction and $21bn in government revenue. Mr Krzywosinski said the project was entering the "final stages" of approvals and would follow the company’s $43bn Gorgon LNG project being built on Barrow Island. "The Wheatstone project, the younger sibling, which seems to live in the shadow of Gorgon, will soon be stepping out into the light as a major capital project in its own right," he said.

The EPA recommended today that Chevron put in place a greenhouse-gas abatement program and offset the emissions of carbon dioxide from Wheatstone. Chevron’s proposed lack of greenhouse-gas mitigation measures were deemed unacceptable by the Conservation Council of WA and the Wilderness Society considered, the report said. The EPA said that if commonwealth legislation on reducing carbon emissions came into force, Chevron may not need to implement an abatement program.

The first phase of the Wheatstone project will have a combined capacity of 8.9mt per annum and first LNG shipments are planned for 2016.

Prelude floating LNG project

Shell recently announced that their Prelude floating LNG project off north west Western Australia has passed another milestone, with the $US12.6 billion ($11.8bn) project receiving final investment approval. Prelude is expected to produce 3.6 million tonnes (0.175 tcf) per annum of LNG, as well as 1.3 million tonnes of condensate and 400,000 tonnes of LPG. The facility is scheduled to begin production in 2016. The gas will be cooled by cold water pumped from about 150m below the ocean’s surface - allowing around 50,000 m3 of cold seawater each hour to cool the gas.

The project will be the world’s first floating LNG development and the facility will be the largest floating structure ever built. The vessel will be built by South Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries. At 488 metres long, 74 metres wide and 600,000-tonne in weight it will be longer than four soccer fields laid end-to-end and will be six times heavier than the world's largest aircraft carrier. The vessel will be permanently moored about 200km off the coast for its 25 years of production and is designed to withstand severe category 5 cyclones (or a “one-in-10,000-year" tropical cyclone, as Shell executive director Malcolm Brinded put it).

In Australia we’ve seen onshore natural gas largely depleted, near offshore natural gas well developed (the north west shelf LNG operation has now been in operation for decades and long-stalled projects like Gorgon are now well underway), a boom in coal seam gas and emerging interest in exploiting shale gas (local producers seem to view speculation that US shale gas production will undermine Australian LNG export markets in Asia as unfounded, notwithstanding the strong Australian dollar) and biogas.

Research by the CSIRO (the Australian government's "Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation") in 2008 found that up to half Australia's natural gas resources (140 trillion cubic feet) could not be developed because they were too remote to be connected to onshore processing plants. Floating LNG platforms remove this barrier and would seem to be the final stage of our entry into what has been dubbed by some - including the IEA [pdf]) - as "The Gas Age". I guess you could view the fossil fuel era as an act in 3 parts, similar to the era of the dinosaurs, with the coal age being analagous to the Triassic period, the oil age to the Jurassic and the gas age echoing the Cretaceous, with the end of the era approaching.



By adopting the offshore floating LNG solution Shell hopes to also substantially reduce the time and cost of the project development phase. Global LNG demand is expected to double this decade and the introduction of floating storage and regasification vessels in recent years has enabled fast entry of new buyers to the market such as Argentina, Brazil, Kuwait and Dubai in recent years. Thailand and Singapore will soon also be able to import LNG and Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and possibly the Philippines are expected to follow a few years later.

Shell is already looking at a number of other locations for floating LNG projects, including the Greater Sunrise project in East Timor, and projects in Indonesia, Cyprus, East Africa and South America. Other companies are also interested in floating LNG with the BBC claiming Flex LNG and Hoegh LNG hoping to make final investment decisions shortly on projects in Papua New Guinea.

Jarand Rystad, founder of a Norway-based research consultancy for the oil industry says there are up to 160 gas fields where floating LNG could be applicable worldwide over the next decade. The prospect of a number of floating LNG developments has Darwin excited, with the town hoping to be the base for servicing Prelude and up to 10 additional platforms over time. The 10 platforms figure may have emerged from a statement from Samsung Heavy Industries estimating the size of the market last year. Besides the PNG projects mentioned earlier, Woodside have been pushing for a floating LNG development for the Sunrise development between Australia and East Timor, and there has been some speculation that Woodside's Browse development could avoid opposition to plans to build an onshore LNG plant in the Kimberly region. There has also been speculation that Inpex's Abadi and Ichthys projects could be candidates.

75% of Irish professionals consider emigration

Three out of four professionals would consider leaving Ireland in the next three years if the economy does not improve, a new survey has found. The survey of people from IT, accountancy and engineering backgrounds also found that 14 per cent of professionals who emigrated in the last three years did so for warmer weather.

A desire to live in a warmer climate was particularly evident among accountants, 26 per cent of whom said climate had influenced their decision to move abroad. Two-thirds of respondents to the survey, carried out by Hays recruitment company, said they were no confident job prospects would improve in Ireland in the next three years, while 81 per cent believe the Government’s Jobs Initiative will not help employment figures.

More than a third (35 per cent) of the survey’s 2,173 respondents said they had left the country in the last three years for work – some to pursue an opportunity and others because they had no other option. Some 27 per cent left for the UK, 22 per cent for another European country, 15 per cent for Australasia and 7 per cent for North America. Three in five of those who have moved away from Ireland believe the quality of life is better where they live now.

Queensland: skilled worker shortage

The head of Queensland’s leading industry body says choosy workers are making will make it difficult to fill the skills gaps in the state. In the next year, 30000 workers will be needed in the Bowen Basin, and Queensland Resources Council chief executive said he was shocked to discover 2500 unfilled places exist in the minerals and resources sector alone.
“At the moment the workforce is being very choosy, you really have to move heaven and earth to make it attractive for them because they do have alternatives, particularly the younger generation,” he told The Daily Mercury.
"They are very mobile, they can get on a plane and fly to Mackay or Moranbah or they can maybe stay on the plane an extra couple of hours and fly to Western Australia, and I'm hearing for some of those jobs there is a premium to be paid.”

He said the mining boom will be held back by the skills shortage, despite initiatives to expand the industry.
“The fundamentals are excellent and it has to be good news for Bowen Basin communities and places like Mackay.
"The number one constraint of being able to realise that potential is the skills issue.”
The QRC boss has welcomed the moves by the Gillard Government to find a balance between training locals and allowing skilled migrants into Australia to fill the vacancies.
“We were pleased with the Federal Budget initiatives,” he said.
"A sensible balance between training up the local workforce, accelerating apprenticeships, more money for training and some easing up on facilitation of being able to bring in migrant labour, particularly for those really big projects.
“Hopefully the people of the Mackay region will understand that with projects there is a construction phase with a very high peak workforce and then there are the ongoing jobs.
“My vision is that we make sensible use of, for the short term construction phases, let's use migrant labour sensibly to fill gaps there and let's maximise then the permanent on-going jobs for locals, that is the happy mix and that is what we are aiming for,” Mr Roche said.

In the recent federal budget, treasurer Wayne Swan announced funding to speed up the completing apprenticeships and gaining qualifications. Education Queensland Trade Training Centre project officer Bob Baker told The Mercury offers of big money and ease of entering the resources sectors in other regions were taking young people away from the Bowen Basin and towards south-east and Western Australia.
“At the moment a lot of young people are actually going elsewhere for training as well and then are finding other opportunities in other places.,” he said.
“If they train elsewhere then the transition becomes very easy then for them to move to wherever the biggest money is.
“If we can have the opportunities here for them in Mackay, then they will stay here.
“As a region we are competing with the south-east corner and other major areas of interest like Western Australia, where there is more action, more services, and more resources for families.”
Baker said there needs to be more focus on developing Mackay’s tourism and infrastructure.
http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/choosy-workers-damaging-resouce-sector--qrc-boss

McDonalds imports workers into WA to fill gaps caused by mining

As the skills shortage becomes increasingly dire and jobs in the mining and resource sectors offering huge financial incentives for employees, a Queensland McDonald’s has been forced to recruit staff from capital cities. Burger flippers are in short supply in Mount Isa and the fast-food giant has resorted to importing workers from Brisbane, New limited reports. Teenagers usually make up a large portion of staff at McDonald’s outlets, but in the Mount Isa region, the high-paying jobs in the mines are far more attractive.

The wages, combined with flexible rosters and graduate and career advancement programs have lured many away from the traditional retail and fast-food roles and into the mines. Small businesses are also struggling to compete with the offers mining companies are making. Like the mining industry, which incorporates travel into many positions, especially with fly-in fly-out (FIFO) roles, the Mount Isa McDonald’s has become the first to offer covering travel costs for those willing to take a full time job.

The full-time role at the fast-food chain would pay $718 per week, and employees who stay four months are entitled to a free return bus trip to Brisbane, while those who stay six months can have a return plane ride covered. Manager Joy Mendoza told News Limited the company struggled to fill vacancies locally and decided to advertise the position in Brisbane as an opportunity to see the Outback.

"We're really understaffed and we wanted to attract people," she said. "I was quite overwhelmed with the response. “They're actually interested in coming up to Mount Isa and some are saying they just want to give it a try."

Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce President Brett Peterson said young people can double the amount they would be paid in retail or food employment with a role in the mines. The high wages in mining towns contribute to the high cost of living, with Moranbah in the Bowen Basin named the most expensive place to live in the state. At a mining camp near Moranbah, a kitchen hand can earn up to $85 000 and maintenance and office employees can make double what they would in a similar role outside the mining industry.

30,000 new jobs on 38 Queensland developments

More than 30,000 new jobs are anticipated over the next six years to support 38 projects slated for development in the Bowen Basin in Queensland. The 38 new developments consist of 23 new coal mines and 12 coal seam gas projects as well as three mineral projects, in total generating more than five billion tonnes of resources over the next two decades. Whilst 10,000 jobs have been directly identified with the mining industry, the Mackay Area Industry Network (MAIN) anticipates an additional two jobs for every one created.

Coal projects include BMA’s Caval Ridge coal mine, QCoal’s Byerwen coal mine, Macarthur Coal’s Codrilla mine and Hancock Prospecting’s Alpha Coal mine.  Coal seam gas projects include Australia Pacific LNG and Gladstone LNG.

MAIN has rightly identified the need to urgently address infrastructure and skills issues in regional areas of Queensland. The Resource Channel is currently running a poll on whether or not Fly In, Fly Out from Brisbane to Queensland sites is supported as an alternative to residential arrangements

QLD and WA collaborate to solve mining skills shortage

As the skills shortage in the resource industry continues to worsen, peak industry groups in Western Australia and Queensland have joined with a national industry skills council to address the issue. The Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia (CME), Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and SkillsDMC have joined forces to create strategies to sources the huge number of workers needed over the next five to 10 years.

In Western Australia alone, 33 000 workers will be needed in the next year, and 30 000 will be required in the next six years at the Bowen Basin.As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed to by the industry groups, an objective of the three year agreement will be the development of skills initiatives to be implemented.

Projects under the MoU will include:

• Defining and implementing a national skills policy for the mining sector


• Providing timely workforce planning data to support skills advocacy functions with state and federal governments


• Knowledge transfer for local and state operational outcomes


• Brokering funds to support commonly agreed objectives


• Enhanced consultation and consistency on skills-related submissions


• Establishing lead agencies for projects and issues to maximise the strengths and opportunities provided by the MoU partners

QME chief executive Reg Howard-Smith said Queensland and Western Australia are up against very similar problems in their skills shortage.
‘Our ability to source skilled labour will prove vital in the delivery of projects on time and on budget,’ he said.
‘Our ability to source skilled labour will prove vital in the delivery of projects on time and on budget,’ Mr Howard-Smith said.
‘Where there is mutual benefit, this new, non-binding collaboration, allows the partners to work towards securing policy and initiatives that will underpin national prosperity for decades to come.’

QRC chief executive Michael Roche has echoed Howard-Smith’s comments and says the partnership will make it possible to tackle the problems in the mining sectors in both states.
“The MoU comes at a crucial moment in time to work towards ensuring the development and long-term sustainability of the resources sector in Queensland and Australia,” Roche said
“In the wake of a record $31 billion of new investment recently committed in Queensland alone by LNG developers, it is imperative we band together in order to meet the sector’s increasing workforce needs to support this unprecedented growth.

“No single state can resolve the skills issues we face on its own.’
The chief executive of SkillsDMC, Steve McDonald said planning for the future is the key to solving the issues.
“The enterprises with which we work understand the importance of continual upskilling and training and understand the need to plan for the prosperity of the industry, to ensure that even more critical skills gaps are avoided in the future.
“Industry must position itself to minimise the impact of a retiring workforce, and one that is not currently upskilled to levels that are crucial to industry productivity.
“It is the goal of this collaborative partnership to find solutions to these issues.’

Following the announcement of the federal budget by Treasurer Wayne Swan last week, employers in the resource in industry are urging the Federal Government to ignore demands from political groups and unions opposed to increasing the level of skilled migration. The Government’s announcement on Enterprise Migration Agreements (EMA’s) was welcomed by resource industry employer AMMA. The budget will see an increase in workers as it lifts the level of skilled labour imports and gives companies incentives through a $558 million employment fund.

The National Workforce Development Fund, launched today, is designed to create 130,000 new training places over the next four years.A new enterprise migration agreement for large mining projects in return for a financial contribution to train Australians will be implemented, with the aim of allowing 16,000 skilled immigrants to enter the country to work in some key regions where there is a labour shortage.

http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/qld-and-wa-collaborate-to-solve-mining-skills-shor

Western Australia: 33,000 workers needed by 2012

The skills shortage across resource and construction industries is continuing to worsen, with Western Australia alone needing to fund an extra 33 000 skilled workers by the end of 2012. The Chamber of Minerals and Energy have compiled a report on the growth outlook for the state, which found that if the positions aren’t filled, it could have dire consequences for projects in terms of budget and timeframes and may ruin Western Australia’s reputation as a competitive mining market.

The West Australian is reporting that the 10-year forecast of labour and infrastructure report, to be released today, shows an extra 34 000 skilled workers need to be employed in resource projects in the Pilbara alone and says direct employment in the sector will soon pass 120 000 across WA, making up 10 per cent of the state’s workforce. The shortage is expected to be most dire when projects including Gorgon, Pluto and BHP Billiotn’s Pilbara expansion reach their peaks and.

As many as 90 per cent of the workforce will be employed on fly-in., fly-out contracts, which is sure to further add to the already hot debate about FIFO work.About 85 per cent of the additional FIFO workers will be based in Perth or Peel and the remainder interstate.Most of the positions will need to be made up from foreign workers, as nearly all WA residents are already employed.

In January, Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced pthe government is considering assisting 20 000 skilled migrants to enter Australia and the rates of Irish relocating here is at record levels."Our ability to address these significant labour issues will impact directly on the ability to deliver these projects on time and on budget," CME chief executive Reg Howard-Smith tole The West Australian yesterday. He went on to say the ability for companies to meet deadlines impacts on its reputation and future investment. Earlier this month an online forum was unveiled to allow for discussion about the skills shortage and attempt to fimd solutions.

http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/33-000-workers-needed-in-wa-by-next-year