According to the Hays’ latest annual salary guide, 47% of employers plan to increase permanent staff levels in the next 12 months. 
The specialist recruitment firm indicated 75% of employers in the mining/resources/energy/oil and gas categories envisaged business activity to increase over the next 12 months.
It showed workforce capacity would ramp up as big and mid-tier miners ramp-up operations.
“Renewed optimism across Australia’s resources and mining sector is driving up vacancy activity as large and mid-tier miners all ramp up production and record number sof bulk carriers head out of port,” the guide stated for resources and mining sectors.
“Iron ore and gold prices remain strong and emerging commodities present exciting new opportunities.”
The skills most in-demand for resources and mining are led by Exploration Geologists, Mining Engineers, Drill and Blast Operators, HD Fitters, Auto Electricians and Dump Truck Operators.
The report stated the range of available jobs is extensive, particularly in Western Australia.
However, it also highlighted the optimism had associated challenges as it reignites skill shortages, citing low levels of enrolments in engineering and geology degrees as a concern for the future.
Western Australia was picked as the centre of the skill shortage with expansion and new projects in the pipeline.
Queensland’s mining industry is expected to remain strong, creating opportunities for technical professionals including mining engineers, geotechnical engineers, geologists and surveyors with underground experience.
With a lack of new people entering the industry, the report indicated dump truck operators were also sought after.
In oil and gas, vacancy activity was tipped to increase on the back of rising oil prices.
Vacancies in Victoria were forecast to remain “relatively stable” despite demand and renewed confidence, while in Queensland increased greenfields projects has led to maintenance and infrastructure investment.
The shift from construction to operations and maintenance in Western Australia will deliver vacancies for “operators and larger consultancies associated with expansion”.
In South Australia, significant activity increases in 2018-19 will continue with demand rising for experienced people in construction and commissioning of greenfield sites.
Overall, Business Analysts, Data Scientists, Civil Engineers and HR Business Partners are four of the skills sought by the 47 per cent of employers who plan to increase permanent staff levels in the next 12 months, according to recruiting experts Hays.
The contents of the guide emanates from survey of more than 3,400 organisations, representing over 4.7 million employees.
The survey found strategy and consulting departments will lead jobs growth, with 71 per cent of employers indicating they’ll add to their headcount in this area.
This was followed by Distribution (57 per cent), engineering, general management, sales and IT departments (all 53 per cent), operational management and project management (both 50 per cent) and human resources (49 per cent) departments.
“Permanent hiring intentions have increased steadily over the past five years, peaking in 2018, and we’ve seen this remain consistent so far in 2019,” says Nick Deligiannis, Managing Director of Hays in Australia & New Zealand.
“Employers tell us they will continue adding to their headcount over the next few months. The key driver is the rapid pace of change, leading to restructures and transformational projects. So, despite well documented cost pressure, organisations plan to invest in adding highly skilled professionals to their organisations to successfully implement business change.”
“The widening skills gap is a cause of concern though. 70 per cent of employers we surveyed said skill shortages will impact the effective operation of their business or department, up from 67 per cent last year.”
To read the full salary guide, click here.
