DATA and analysis from DFP Recruitment’s December National Mining and Resources Index, wrapping up the results for 2017, showed monthly job vacancies continued to increase with a rise of 1.3 per cent , seeing the year finish up by 38.7 per cent.

Permanent job vacancies were up 4.4 per cent for the month and up a massive 44.5 per cent in 2017.

Despite a seasonal decline of 2.9 per cent in December, Temporary/Contractor job vacancies finished the year up by 31.2 per cent.

With a strong last quarter, WA finished the year with a 32.9 per cent increase in job vacancies, to optimistically lead into 2018.

Queensland also experienced a much healthier 2017 with job demand up by 40.3 per cent over the year.

WA maintained the lead in national market share of mining jobs, with 46.3 per cent of national vacancies.

Iron Ore miners continues to lead the way and vacancies increased in this sector by 67.6 per cent over the year.

Despite a 2.1 per cent fall in December, Oil & Gas extraction finished the year up by 40.9 per cent. Political debate regarding gas extraction policy is watched with interest and is likely to have an impact on continued jobs growth in this sector.

After consistent declines in 2017, Coal & Mineral Mining had a very strong last quarter with vacancies up by over 35 per cent. This helped the sector recover the significant losses from earlier in the year to finish 2017 down by 1.7 per cent.

Engineering Professionals have been big occupational winners in 2017, with a lift in vacancies by 66.8 per cent.

Riggers and Labourers led the way all year as the highest performing occupation, and hiring of these roles increased by 51.7 per cent this year.

Read DFP Recruitment’s latest National Mining and Resources Jobs Index.