The resource sector needs to start investing in long-term jobs, training, and skill development for Australian manufacturing workers, according to AMWU National Secretary Dave Oliver.
Mr Oliver was in Canberra this week to take part in the Rudd government’s National Resources Sector Employment Taskforce, which is examining solutions to the problem of skill shortages in the resource sector.
Mr Oliver said the AMWU wants to work with industry and government to ensure there is a sustainable and steady supply of skilled workers to be deployed on projects within the resources sector.
“We need to ensure there is a constant supply of skilled labour for remote and regional mining sites, along with a reduction in employee turnover. We also need to ensure the development of skills and qualifications that are useful to the sector,” he said.
Around 80 major new resource projects are proposed to commence operations in Australia by 2015.
But the Australian government and other industries have largely met the bill for training workers who are employed in the resources boom.
There are widespread concerns this practice is unsustainable, and Mr Oliver said the government’s taskforce is a step towards ensuring there is skill development and retention within the sector.
“It appears the resources sector wants to have its cake and eat it too. The sector has not demonstrated a willingness to train and develop the skills of Australian workers to meet the demands of the industry. They want a trained workforce ready to utilise on new projects during the boom, but they dump these workers whenever it suits them,” he said.
“It’s time to stop looking at this problem project by project, and start developing a plan on resources and training that will lead to the long-term viability of the resource industry.”
The AMWU made a submission to the taskforce, stating that the practice of relying on fly-in fly-out contractors and temporary workers from overseas was economically and socially unsustainable.
It found this practice resulted in a workforce that is unstable, poorly skilled, socially disconnected, and characterised by constant turnover.
“At present, the resources sector extracts not only minerals, but labour and productivity from the wider economy, by under-training workers and importing temporary overseas skilled labour,” the submission said.
“It is time that a sector which utilises the resources of a society contributes to the development of those resources. Mutuality of obligation and benefit must be the key.”
The AMWU submission to the taskforce stated under-investment in apprentice training and poor remuneration for apprentices was another factor in the shortage of tradespersons.
The taskforce will report back to the Government by mid 2010 with initiatives to address the resources sector's workforce needs.