QRC releases the top 10 hottest jobs in resources right now
Wednesday, 20 July 2022
Click here for photo of QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane.
Click here for TV grabs of QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane.
Click here for audio grabs of QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane.
“Shape your future, innovate our world”.
That’s the tagline of a bold, new digital campaign created by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) to attract ‘the hearts and minds’ of Gen Z to a brilliant career in the state’s minerals and energy sector.
The campaign centres around the Top 10 hottest jobs in Queensland resources right now.
Click here for campaign video.
Click here for campaign website.
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane will publicly launch the campaign at tonight’s Queensland Mining Awards in Mackay, hosted by the Bowen Basin Mining Club.
In his keynote speech, Mr Macfarlane will tell more than 600 guests that the sector was down, but not out, following the Queensland Government’s decision to ambush the sector with excessive, new coal royalty rates.
“Governments come and go, and the people who make up governments come and go, but what remains is an industry that has substantially supported the Queensland economy and Queensland jobs since the late 1800’s, and continues to be at the forefront of global innovation and excellence,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“The world needs resources to function, and Queensland has the resources the world needs.
“Right now, we’re dealing with a major skills shortage, so to address this the QRC has created what we believe is a game-changing campaign that presents our sector as the powerhouse of innovation and opportunity it is.
“We can’t wait to welcome Zoomers onto our sites, so our industry can benefit from their trade and tertiary skills and expertise, their fresh ideas and their passion to make a difference in the world.
“Mining is undergoing an intense and immense period of change, as companies move as quickly as possible to lower emissions and become more environmentally sustainable.
“Getting more young people on board with us on that journey is the key to success.”
The top 10 ‘hottest’ or most in-demand resources jobs for 2022 are for metallurgists, automation engineers, heavy diesel fitters, auto electricians, geologists, environmental engineers, operations technicians, facility engineers, mechanical engineers and mining engineers.
With starting salaries in the $100k – $140k range, the QRC campaign now running on YouTube, Instagram and social media is designed to appeal to the aspirations of high school students and early-year university students.
Mr Macfarlane said a trade or professional career in resources opens a whole new world of exciting possibilities for ambitious young people motivated by rewarding, highly paid jobs that offer a good work-life balance.
“The bonus for young people entering the resources sector is they can play an active role in helping our industry become more sustainable to meet the challenges of climate change,” he said.
“Right now, companies are working on decarbonisation plans, adopting low-emission technologies, improving their energy efficiency and implementing renewable energy solutions and a host of other positive environment-related initiatives, so there are plenty of opportunities to make a real difference to how our industry impacts the world around us.
“The world is moving towards a new era of sustainable mining to meet the challenges of climate change, and Queensland’s resources industry is absolutely on-board with being part of the global solution.”
The stars of the QRC’s “Shape Your Future, Innovate our World” campaign are real-life mining employees who work for leading resources companies including ConocoPhillips, Anglo American, Glencore Queensland Metals and South32 and major service provider Hastings Deering.
Mr Macfarlane said jobs in Queensland’s resources sector offer excellent training and career opportunities that can set young people up financially for life.
“Young people can also be assured resources companies are serious about providing inclusive, diverse and safe workplaces for our employees,” he said.
“We are Queensland’s number one private sector employer of Indigenous people; we have a 30 percent female participation target by 2026; and our employees earn the highest average, full-time income of any industry by far, at almost $140,000 per year.
“Resources has a lot to offer, and we’re inviting young people to visit our new campaign website to find out more.”
The campaign is the brainchild of the QRC’s Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy and is backed by The University of Queensland and Central Queensland University.
Media contact: Rachel Stewart – rachels@qrc.org.au or 0408 130 767
The QRC is Queensland’s peak body for coal, metal and gas explorers, producers and suppliers across the resources sector. The resources sector contributes one in every five dollars to the state economy, supports one in six Queensland jobs, supports more than 15,000 businesses and contributes to more than 1,400 community organisations – all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass.