Trends and Priorities
The mining and automotive industries are being impacted by technological change, driving need for new skills, training and new jobs in high demand.
Technological advancements and growing demand for critical minerals, sustainable energy and electric vehicles is creating challenges in skilling the mining and automotive workforces. Our summary shows that accredited training needs to keep pace with industry.
In mining, driverless trains, self-driving haul trucks and other mobile plant equipment in surface operations are being used in many mine sites, supported by GPS tracking and mine site mapping.
Automation
Autonomous operations need to be designed, developed, installed, tested, and monitored and have created new job demand for autonomous operations controllers, IT, cybersecurity, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and transportation systems design.
The growth of remote mining operations centres is seeing an increase of workers being able to support mining operations from metropolitan rather than remote locations, expanding the demographic of people that the industry can attract. These jobs also require higher digital skills, and many need specialised degree qualifications.
The automotive industry continues to implement new high-technology solutions and systems into vehicles, making the task of workers that service, repair and fit such systems more complicated and digitally reliant.
Automotive Technology
In addition to the evolution towards Electric Vehicles detailed in a section further below, modern vehicles are being fitted with advanced driver-assistance systems, including radars, multiple cameras, sensors, and sophisticated operating systems, to not only manage the engine, transmission and exhaust but also most of the in-cabin functions and experiences.
Many training providers are failing to keep pace with technology and are teaching students on outdated equipment. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are reluctant to grant access to their proprietary systems for training providers, requiring all training to be conducted by them, which may not always be possible in all locations.
The mining industry is altering existing machines to run on electricity as the preferred power source, while replacing aging, traditional diesel-fuelled internal combustion engine equipment for electrified.
Electrification
Many mine sites already generate their own electrical power due to their off-grid locations and can run existing operations and charge a battery-electric mobile plant. This means no additional refuelling infrastructure or supply-chain logistics are required.
When new vehicles are purchased or old ones are updated, buying, or upgrading to electric will be the preferred way to operate, creating a scenario where mine site mechanics will need to be upskilled to support both diesel and electric plant vehicles.
The future composition of Australia’s vehicle fleet will increasingly be electric, so the service and repair sector needs to be prepared with facilities, equipment and appropriate training for technicians.
Electric Vehicles
Australia's National Electric Vehicle Strategy identifies the rapid increase in the adoption of EVs as critical to Australia achieving its net-zero ambitions. Australia’s transport sector makes up 19% of emissions, with passenger and light commercial vehicles accounting for 60%.
There are 83,000 EVs on Australian roads, and 3.8% of all new cars purchased in 2022 were EVs, an 86% increase from 2021.
AAAA’s Future Readiness Index suggests that 10% of businesses are already ‘Future Ready’, with a further 40% making progress towards becoming ‘Future Ready’.
Australia’s emerging hydrogen industry is seeing impacts developing for the heavy linehaul haulage segment of the automotive industry due to it’s position within transport.
Hydrogen
These opportunities for truck manufacturers in Australia are driving the need for new skills for the technicians who service and repair hydrogen-driven vehicles.
The establishment of refuelling infrastructure will be needed to the broader adoption of hydrogen as a transport fuel.
There are currently no accredited training programs for the manufacture, service and repair or safe handling of hydrogen within the VET system.
The mining industry is using technology to improve productivity and safety through the use of advanced data analytics, continuous asset monitoring systems, real-time sensor data, use of robotics and increased augmentation of AI systems.
Mining Technology
The new jobs created include advanced education and technical skills, with value placed on soft skills such as change management, collaboration, complex stakeholder engagement, creativity, data analysis, data and digital literacy, design thinking, stakeholder analysis and strategic planning.
A future fall in demand for operational roles such as drillers, miners, shotfirers and mobile plant operators is as a result of technological solutions, whereas numerous roles, including metal fitters, machinists, electricians, production managers and mining engineers, would see a demand increase.
Highlight trends
Top jobs
Due to technological advancement requiring upskilling and reskilling, metal fitters, machinists, electricians, production managers and mining engineers are set to be in high demand
3rd place
Generation Z is the first generation to not rank remuneration as one of the top two reasons for choosing a career path or industry, instead ranking workplace flexibility and purpose higher
10%
AAAA’s Future Readiness Index suggests that 10% of businesses are already ‘Future Ready’, with a further 40% making progress towards becoming ‘Future Ready
How do I find out more?
If you are interested in finding out more about our Workforce Plan and how you may be involved, please contact us.