The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has released a new report, spotlighting worker shortages, policy settings, rising costs and global economic conditions as key concerns for the resources sector.
QRC chief executive officer (CEO) Ian Macfarlane said the these concerns could stand in the way of Queensland capitalising on opportunities to push for a net-zero future.
“The world is looking to Queensland to meet surging demand for critical minerals like copper and nickel to build the batteries, solar panels and electrical vehicles of the future, which will be central to achieving ambitious decarbonisation targets,” Macfarlane said.
“More than half of CEOs say the move to automation and digitalisation will mean more jobs, however 95 per cent say a shortage of skilled workers will affect productivity and profitability.”
The sentiments on jobs echoes the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) and the Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA) sentiments from the recently released employment white paper from the Federal Government.
Both companies have urged the Federal Government to help the sector plug position gaps.
“With demand for graduates in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) related degrees forecast to increase by 25 per cent over the next five years, one positive is that companies are individually taking action to attract and retain workers,” Macfarlane said.
“Along with their ongoing support for the QRC’s educational arm, the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy, which delivers workshops to promote career opportunities in resources almost 100 schools each year, resources companies are increasingly conducting their own local campaigns to recruit new graduates to the sector.”