Australians are turning their noses up at thousands of vacant, well-paying jobs.
The mining industry in Western Australia is desperate to fill more than 1,000 positions in almost every industry, from engineers to tradesmen.
The number of mining jobs advertised online soared by 32 per cent in the past year, according to SEEK, with jobseekers needing little to no experience to earn big bucks.
The mining industry in Western Australia is desperate to fill more than 1,000 positions in almost every industry, from engineers to tradesman (stock photo)
Heavy duty diesel fitters and mechanics are needed in Perth for jobs paying up to $190,000 a year – workers simply require appropriate certifications and three years trade experience.
People who don’t mind working long hours on a ‘fly in fly out’ roster in remote areas like Port Hedland, Karratha and Pilbara can also earn up to $50 an hour in a ‘service person’ role.
Workers are required for positions out of Perth including boilermakers, crane operators and riggers, dump truck and dozer operators, as well as general laborers.
Several shutdown jobs are also on offer, with roles like advanced scaffolders, scaffold supervisors, mechanical supervisors, mechanical fitters, electricians/supervisors, advanced riggers, boilermakers, labourers and trade assistants needing to be filled.
The number of mining jobs advertised online soared by 32 per cent in the past year, according to SEEK, with jobseekers needing little to no experience to earn big bucks (stock photo)
Such roles pay upwards of $43 an hour and require applicants to have recognised trade qualifications, high risk work cards and to be comfortable working at heights.
Cleaning and housekeeping positions also need filling in North West mine sites, with minimal experience and qualifications requirements making them viable options to just about anyone who can work long hours in warm conditions.
Chamber of Minerals and Energy called for skilled migrants to fill the jobs Australians didn’t want.
Paul Everingham, the body’s CEO, said there were currently more than 1,000 vacancies in the Kalgoorlie mining sector alone.
While Mr Everingham said companies prioritised Australian applicants, he said employers were desperate to hire anyone skilled to do the job, turning to qualified migrants instead
Chamber of Minerals and Energy CEO Paul Everingham (pictured) said there were currently more than 1,000 vacancies in the Kalgoorlie mining sector alone
‘You can’t sugar coat that – they’re available now and they’re not being filled,’ he told the ABC.
While Mr Everingham said companies prioritised Australian applicants, he said employers were desperate to hire anyone skilled to do the job.
‘All Australian companies want to employ Australians first, but if there aren’t enough Australians…,’ he said.
Kalgoorlie Mayor John Bowler described the job shortage in the mining sector as a ‘crisis’ and urged the federal government to send skilled migrants as soon as possible
‘So if we have to set up special immigration or work zones, our members would definitely welcome the ability to get access to skilled workers immediately.’
Kalgoorlie Mayor John Bowler described the job shortage in the mining sector as a ‘crisis’ and urged the federal government to send skilled migrants as soon as possible.
‘We’ve got almost a crisis on our hands, and I suppose that might be a bit dramatic, but there’s a lot of businesses out there that say they would employ a lot more people if they could get them,’ he told the publication.
‘We’ve got almost a crisis on our hands, and I suppose that might be a bit dramatic, but there’s a lot of businesses out there that say they would employ a lot more people if they could get them,’ Mr Bowler said