Taskforce to consult resources industry about Australia's workforce needs
Gary Gray
posted Monday, 1 March 2010
The National Resources Sector Employment Taskforce today released a public discussion paper titled Resourcing the Future which will assist in generating discussion about ways to address the workforce needs of major resources projects in Australia over the next five years and beyond.
The discussion paper is designed to gather information about resources companies' specific skills needs and elicit views from a wide range of stakeholders.
Working with an Industry Reference Group and a Skills Reference Group, the Taskforce is examining ways of meeting the resources sector's increasing demand for skilled labour. Around 80 major new projects are proposed to commence operations in Australia by 2015.
It is estimated that these projects will lead to an increase of around $92 billion in real GDP and create direct and indirect jobs across Australia. The projects represent a lifeline for unemployed young people, retrenched workers and job seekers with the necessary skills.
The Taskforce is led by the Hon Gary Gray AO MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Western and Northern Australia. It will report to the Government by mid 2010 with initiatives to address the resources sector's workforce needs.
The Taskforce will meet with stakeholders in most capital cities and some regional locations.
Submissions should be lodged by close of business 9 April 2010 by email to nrset.submissions@deewr.gov.au.
For more information about NRSET or to download a copy of Resourcing the Future, visit www.deewr.gov.au/nrset.
Tags: Industry, resource sector, task force