Mackay’s Resource Industry Network is targeting workers coming off the $55 billion Ichthys LNG plant construction project in Darwin as part of a raft of strategies to address Central Queensland’s skills shortfall.
The Darwin plant was officially opened on November 16 and a construction workforce of about 2500 remains to finalise works, down from a project peak of about 10,000 workers.
RIN general manager Adrienne Rourke said that group had been working with the Department of Jobs and Small Business to get Mackay’s message out to that massive labour pool.
“It’s probably a bit cheeky, but with any major project like that the government has staff working in that space to assist people to look for their next move,” she said.
“There is a one-page flyer we did up for the people in Darwin. We are probably not the only ones being promoted on that site, but we are trying to be as helpful as possible and providing them with information they can give to people so that people coming off the project can look at Mackay as their next option.
“We want to be front of mind for the people that are finishing there and looking for other work opportunities.”
People are pointed towards a jobs page on the RIN website allowing them to submit their CVs on a platform that reaches multiple RIN members with job vacancies.
“Members have listed their HR contacts and the types of roles they are recruiting for, so people don’t have to approach each individual organisation,” Ms Rourke said.
“We are trying to make it easy and convenient for both sides.”
RIN has taken similar measures to reach out to ex-Defence personnel seeking jobs.
Many were suitable candidates for work in the resources and METS sectors due to their experience with heavy machinery and high-risk environments, as well as a willingness to relocate, Ms Rourke said.
RIN has been focusing on the regional recruitment space for about two years due to growing concerns about a skills shortage.
“When the mining downturn hit, a lot of people left Mackay as they lost jobs or contracts or their work finished,” Ms Rourke said.
“So we did lose a significant amount of people and we could see that once work picked up we would not be able to fill those roles.”
The organisation has worked closely with the Mackay Regional Council to promote the lifestyle advantages of Central Queensland.
This year they launched ‘case study’ videos, such as a promotion involving a young man who moved to Mackay for work and was able to buy a house, which he could never have afforded in Sydney, where he originated.
“We’re trying to make sure also that we are retaining people in the region,” Ms Rourke said.
“Some people have the impression that in some roles, to progress, they have to go to a capital city – so we are trying to look at some ways to help our membership lift the retention rate as well, so there is a range of career development work we are doing.”
Ms Rourke said part of the challenge in encouraging someone to relocate for work was having job options for their partner as well.
She said there were opportunities across every sector in Mackay, but people needed help making those connections.
RECENT STORIES
DEC 20, 2018
Manufacturing an emerging priority
Manufacturing has become a policy priority in Queensland. The government has announced $30 million to establish hubs in Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton to assist local manufacturers to grow their businesses and become more productive. Each hub will focus on strengthening key manufacturing sectors, including: the marine, aviation and food manufacturing industries in Cairns;food transfo…
DEC 20, 2018
Progress towards liquid commercial coal
The New Hope Group is conjuring liquid ‘gold’ from lumps of coal. The fundamentals of turning coal into a liquid have been around for almost a century and are far from being a dark art. However, when New Hope decided to build a concept plant at Jeebropilly it took several years for the company’s Projects Department to detail the process to suit their vision before the design …
DEC 20, 2018
Olive Downs contracts awarded
Central Queensland’s newest coal mine is moving ahead. CIMIC Group companies Sedgman and CPB Contractors have been awarded a contract by Pembroke Resources at the greenfield Olive Downs Coking Coal Project in Central Queensland. The contract is for design, procurement, construction and commissioning of the Coal Handling and Preparation Plant and will generate revenue to CIMIC Group of…
DEC 22, 2018
Not all hot air
Australia has become the world’s largest single gas exporter. “For the first time ever, Australia has exported more gas than Qatar in November and it looks like we will lead them in annual exports too over the next year,” Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan said today. “Australia is on track for annual gas exports of 77 million tonnes a year “This underlines the s…
DEC 22, 2018
Mossman Mill bailout
A bio-refinery is the central plank of a $25 million government bail-out for Mossman Mill. The Government recognised the importance of the mill to the community and local economy and the substantial long-term benefits that would be derived from establishing a leading-edge bio-refinery on the site, Minister for State Development, Cameron Dick said. “Far Northern Milling intends to establish …
DEC 22, 2018
Increased mining delivers royally
The December edition of the Resources and Energy Quarterly reinforced the importance of the sector said the Queensland Resources Council.The update of the project pipeline featured in this edition showed Queenslanders had reason to be optimistic about ongoing benefits from the sector said QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane.“Queensland’s resources sector is one of the foundation stones of our stat…
DEC 22, 2018
Resources and Energy Quarterly report released
Australia remained on track to set a new record in its resource and energy commodity exports in 2018–19. It’s outlined in the Commonwealth Government’s Resources and Energy Review. It shows a decline in the Australian dollar has helped boost commodity export earnings up above $264 billion —meaning resource and energy commodities now represent more than half of Australia’s total…
DEC 22, 2018
BMA Issues $180 million maintenance contract
CIMIC Group company UGL has secured a new multi-year contract for maintenance and shutdown support services across BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) coal mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin. The demand-based contract will deliver revenue to UGL of approximately $180 million. Under the new contract UGL will deliver: Coal Handling Preparation Plant (CHPP) maintenance and scheduled plant ou…
DEC 20, 2018
Manufacturing an emerging priority
Manufacturing has become a policy priority in Queensland. The government has announced $30 million to establish hubs in Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton to assist local manufacturers to grow their businesses and become more productive. Each hub will focus on strengthening key manufacturing sectors, including: the marine, aviation and food manufacturing industries in Cairns;food transfo…
DEC 20, 2018
Progress towards liquid commercial coal
The New Hope Group is conjuring liquid ‘gold’ from lumps of coal. The fundamentals of turning coal into a liquid have been around for almost a century and are far from being a dark art. However, when New Hope decided to build a concept plant at Jeebropilly it took several years for the company’s Projects Department to detail the process to suit their vision before the design …
DEC 20, 2018
Olive Downs contracts awarded
Central Queensland’s newest coal mine is moving ahead. CIMIC Group companies Sedgman and CPB Contractors have been awarded a contract by Pembroke Resources at the greenfield Olive Downs Coking Coal Project in Central Queensland. The contract is for design, procurement, construction and commissioning of the Coal Handling and Preparation Plant and will generate revenue to CIMIC Group of…
DEC 22, 2018
Not all hot air
Australia has become the world’s largest single gas exporter. “For the first time ever, Australia has exported more gas than Qatar in November and it looks like we will lead them in annual exports too over the next year,” Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan said today. “Australia is on track for annual gas exports of 77 million tonnes a year “This underlines the s…
DEC 22, 2018
Mossman Mill bailout
A bio-refinery is the central plank of a $25 million government bail-out for Mossman Mill. The Government recognised the importance of the mill to the community and local economy and the substantial long-term benefits that would be derived from establishing a leading-edge bio-refinery on the site, Minister for State Development, Cameron Dick said. “Far Northern Milling intends to establish …
DEC 22, 2018
Increased mining delivers royally
The December edition of the Resources and Energy Quarterly reinforced the importance of the sector said the Queensland Resources Council.The update of the project pipeline featured in this edition showed Queenslanders had reason to be optimistic about ongoing benefits from the sector said QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane.“Queensland’s resources sector is one of the foundation stones of our stat…
