Career Options
Mining for talentOne of Canada's most productive industrial sectors faces a serious skills shortage in the next decade according to a Canadian Minerals and Metals Industry study. Sun Wire Services |
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 [ 2005-09-28 ] |
The Canadian mining industry will need up to 81,000 new people to meet current and future needs and to fill positions vacated by retirees as revealed by the sector study. The comprehensive research conducted by the Mining Industry Training and Adjustment Council - Canada (MITAC) evaluated short and long-term human resource issues and challenges facing the mining industry.
CAREER POTENTIAL
A key player in the global mining industry, Canada is one of the world's largest exporters of minerals, metals and diamonds. Since 2002, mining GDP growth has been about twice the rate of the Canadian economy, economic indicators point to continued growth and increased exploration activities for several more years.
"With this looming skills shortage, the career potential is great for the right people with the right skill set -- particularly for skilled-trade workers, engineers and geoscientists," said Paul Hebert, executive director, MITAC. "Some people continue to assume mining is primarily a brute-force occupation, in fact, mining has evolved to become a highly skilled and technical industry."
To meet future human resource demands, recruitment of new workers to the industry and skills development of the existing workforce is fundamental. Several industry leaders including Barrick, INCO, Falconbridge and Teck Cominco are currently developing and executing hiring programs to attract a non-traditional workforce including Canadian youth, women, visible minorities and Aboriginal peoples to this high-paying sector.
The study's findings suggest the industry could lose up to 40% of the existing workforce in the next 10 years. More than half of its current workforce is eligible to retire in the next five to 10 years. The largest percentage of workers planning to retire within the next 10 years is in the skilled trades group.
The unprecedented skilled worker shortage is also a result of fewer young people entering into mining careers. Despite 26 post-secondary education institutions in Canada providing mining-specific programs, these institutions face a number of challenges including the high cost of technology and equipment for programs and low enrolments.
"Additional skill gaps are emerging as mining becomes even more knowledge-based and technology-intensive," said Patricia Dillon of Teck Cominco Ltd and chair of the Minerals and Metals Industry Sector Study Steering Committee.
The study also reveals the need for standardized training throughout Canada. Currently, trade certification for mining is not available in Canada. Implementing a Red Seal trades status would encourage national training standards and provide mobility and flexibility for workers.
The use of sophisticated and innovative technology has reduced risks in exploration, improved productivity, and enhanced environmental protection. Emerging technological advances, such as tele-mining and robotics, have changed the face of the mining industry. Health, safety, and workplace quality have also improved.
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