Australias Mining Boom Heightened Interest for Foreign Workers

Australias Mining Boom Heightened Interest for Foreign Workers

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June 22, 2011 – As Australia’s mining industry has started to boom again, a labor shortage in its skilled workers is also being observed.
Nowadays, it is very difficult to find skilled workers to sustain Australia’s mining boom.
Australia’s mining industry has called for an increased skilled immigration as unemployment rates in the country continues to fall.
A call for the streamlining or changes of Australian work holiday visa or working holiday Australia visa should be undertaken as the need for skilled workers has increased.
The lack of skilled labor is the main problem affecting Australia’s mining industry. Australia’s Mining industry has been a significant primary industry and contributor to the Australian economy.

In recent years, as the demand for export of minerals increases especially to China, the particular demand for professions and trade occupations in the mining industry have also increased.
Meanwhile, putting pressure on the entire manufacturing sector is the tightening labor market, which drove up wages, combined with the resurgent Aussie dollar.
The reason for this labor shortage, and the corresponding sky rocketing wages is attributed to the shortage of Australia’s workforce to exploit its massive natural resources at the pace required to satisfy Asia’s hunger for resources.
According to government estimates, there is roughly $400 billion worth in new projects on the drawing board in Australia’s mining and resources industry, including oil and gas, which is said to need another roughly 70,000 workers over the next five years alone.
Meanwhile, another 196,000 workers is projected to be needed by the construction industry over the same period, in which many are associated with new mining and energy projects.
With these projections, the government needs to answer these ongoing shortages. However, some economists say that Australia is taking measures and inadequate steps to import overseas labor.
As the mining industry has become the driving force in Australia’s economy, the government should enforce immigration strategy that includes immigration programs to attract economic migrants.
Changes should be made with regards to its working tourist visa Australia or any of its Australian holiday visas requirements as the country needs to attract more workers to come to Australia.