Mining and engineering sectors face severe skills shortage

International recruitment consultancy Robert Walters has revealed that the mining and engineering sectors will both face severe skills shortages as the increasing number of large projects compete for talent.

Results from Robert Walters’ annual Global Salary Survey illustrated a rise in recruitment activity and salaries across several industries in 2010, due to ongoing growth and skills shortages. Hiring levels were particularly high within the oil and gas, rail engineering and operational coal, iron ore and gold mining sectors. The construction sector was, however, more restrained.

“We expect to see strong demand in the Western Australian and Queensland oil and gas market, and most of the Australian mining and rail industries. We will also see increased recruitment activity within power, water infrastructure and port development companies due to continued investment in these sectors, such as BG Group’s $15 billion investment in coal seam gas in Queensland,” said James Nicholson, Robert Walters’ managing director – Australia.

Nicholson remarked that he expects that companies will need to shorten their recruitment processes to secure top talent, and some may have to look overseas.

Download the Robert Walters Global Salary Survey at www.robertwalters.com.au/career-advice.