Business is thriving in South Australia’s energy and resources sector, as recent figures reveal a historic surge in job advertisements during the last quarter. According to the SA Mining and Energy Hiring Intentions Report released today, a record-breaking 918 job advertisements were posted for positions in SA’s resources and energy sector between October and December.
This marks the highest number of jobs advertised in this period since the inception of the Resources and Energy Skills Alliance (RESA) Report in 2013.
Regional areas are reaping the benefits of South Australia’s mining and energy job boom, with approximately 40 per cent of the advertised positions situated in these regions.
This unprecedented demand for skills aligns with the upward trajectory of mining activities and investments in energy projects.
“These record results are more evidence that the energy and mining sectors are key drivers of our state’s economy, boosting jobs and building prosperity for all South Australians. Mining activity in South Australia is up, investment in energy projects is up, and job opportunities are up,” Tom Koutsantonis said.
“These figures clearly demonstrate that South Australia’s resources are highly sought-after globally as they continue to play a critical role in decarbonising our economy and supporting the world’s transition to clean energy. It is particularly pleasing that well over a third of these jobs are located in our state’s regions,” he explained adding that “These sectors are vital to the prosperity of our regional communities and to the state’s economic transformation.”
“Our state is delivering the raw materials and value-added products needed to drive the energy transition globally, including copper, steel, and hydrogen. This jobs boom is creating opportunities for people with varieties of skills – whether you’re operating heavy equipment or honing a complex spreadsheet, there’s a job for you in South Australia’s resources sector,” Kouttsantonis concluded.
RESA Chief Executive Officer Jodie Badcock also highlights the sustained growth in mining and energy vacancy activity over the past two years, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative approach to workforce development.
“Mining and energy vacancy activity has consistently increased over the past two years, with demand in each quarter consistently equalling or exceeding the equivalent period in the previous financial year. Demand is strong across high volume occupations in trades and operations and in specialist roles providing critical industry-specific skills. With 235 companies advertising in the sector in Q2 FY23-24, in roles that support mineral resources and infrastructure projects, industry demand is diverse both by type of employment and geographical location. This highlights the importance of a collaborative approach to the development of workforce solutions aligned to industry priorities providing pathways to rewarding employment opportunities for South Australians.”
