THE latest mining and resources job data from industry specialists DFP Recruitment has shown a resurgence in job opportunities in May 2017.

The 3% upward trend in May indicated a rebound from the 2.6% decline shown in April figures.

Job vacancies were 36.3% higher than in May 2016, according to year-on-year figures in the DFP Mining Resources Jobs Index.

Permanent job vacancies were up 17.3% over the past six months and 36.6% over 12 months.

Once again the permanent market expanded strongly rising 3.7% in May, while temporary and contract roles also rebounded, rising 1.9%.

Western Australia was up 3.8% in May and increased by 35.9% over the last 12 months and
Queensland increased 3.6% and remained up 31.1% in year-on-year comparisons.

Temporary/Contractor job vacancies were up 9.6% over six months and 35.8% over 12 months.

The softening of the iron ore price led to a 6.1% fall in vacancies in Metal Ore Mining for the month of May, attributing to a fall of 13.3% in the last quarter.

Engineering professionals remained the fastest growing occupational group, expanding 45.8% over the past 12 months, albeit from a low base according to DFP Recruitment CEO Robert van Stokrom.

“Hiring in exploration continued to rise and vacancies, with an upsurge of 78% in the last six months and hiring in Operational Management continued to be very subdued,” he said.