Over 7000 high paying mining jobs on offer in regional NSW
High tech and well paid mining jobs are being spruiked in a promotion spree, with major companies looking to hire kids from the bush as well as city workers. Here’s what’s up for grabs.
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EXCLUSIVE
Plum hi-tech mining jobs are being spruiked by major companies in a promotion spree to keep kids from the bush working in their hometowns while attracting city workers to the sector.
The metal mining sector’s public relations campaign has seen major companies attending school career events and running a grassroots campaign to present the industry as fulfilling career.
The industry has more than 7200 jobs up for grabs in NSW alone with 18 more metal and mineral mining proposals waiting on approval and investment expected to more than double that number.
NSW Minerals Council chief executive Stephen Galilee said the industry was “is working hard to provide quality, high-paying jobs in regional communities.
“Mining in central western NSW is providing opportunities for young people from rural and regional areas to remain in their communities while forging a satisfying and lucrative career in mining,” he said.
“Mining offers a wide range of interesting, innovative and well-paid career paths. Like most industries, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the workforce. Labour market conditions are tight, and we do compete with other industries for workers.
“Our 2022 mining careers roadshow saw hundreds of school students from regional NSW attend information evenings in centres like Bathurst, Tamworth and Dubbo. Students were shown a wide range of career opportunities within the mining industry, and some of the study and training pathways available.”
Almost 90 per cent of all mining jobs are permanent and the average salary is a generous $144,000 according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
“Global demand for NSW resources like gold, copper, cobalt, silicon, scandium and rare earths is strong. This is driving more projects and jobs growth. An increasing number of highly skilled young people are needed to supply the world with these metals and minerals,” Mr Galilee said.
Isaac Heath moved to Dubbo from the Blue Mountains to work at Alkane’s gold mine as a graduate metallurgist last year.
“Dubbo is quite a big town now so it doesn’t really feel like a remote regional mining town. I find the work-life balance is really good … There is plenty of weekend sport to do, plenty of communities to get involved,” the 25-year-old said.
“Your options in mining are really diverse … with an engineering degree there are multiple paths that you can go down.
“I see myself living in regional NSW for a while.”
The Daily Telegraph’s 2022 Bush Summit will be streamed online live and free on Friday August 26. Register to watch here
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