The mining industry is still going strong and, in places like Western Australia, you have a very good chance of getting a job at one of the many mines in the area.
Many economic sectors took a severe hit during the coronavirus pandemic and many jobs were lost. However, there are still places where you can easily get a job and earn quite a bit of money. The mining industry is still going strong and, in places like Western Australia, you have a very good chance of getting a job at one of the many mines in the area.
Here’s what you need to know.
How’s the job market in Western Australia?
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, if you’re currently looking for a job, Western Australia is your best bet. As of November 2020, there were 25 job vacancies for every 100 unemployed individuals. That’s the highest rate anywhere in the country. Many of these vacancies are in the mining industry.
What do you need to get a mining job?
Obviously, having some sort of qualification vastly increases your chances of getting a job in the mining sector. People with a qualification in engineering and construction or a degree in geology are more likely to get a job in mining than people with zero qualification. Or if you have a trade, that gives you an edge when applying for a job at a mining site.
If you have no qualification, trade or some relevant skill, your chances of getting hired at a mining site are rather low. You will need to be very lucky to get a job or be very persistent and know the right people.
To increase your chances of getting a job, you should have a clean criminal record. It is common practice for employers based in WA to carry out a WA police clearance certificate before signing the employment contract. Many of the positions in this economic sector require a background check, particularly those where you’d have access to explosive materials.
The same applies to foreigners on a working holiday visa in Australia. If you work hard and your employers are happy with your work performance it will be fairly easy to have your visa extended for an additional year.
How to get a job at a mining site?
Travelling to Western Australia solely on the vague hope of finding a job can be risky, not to mention costly.
You’re better off contacting a recruiting agency in the area and waiting for the right job, before undertaking the trip. Make sure to include any sort of relevant work experience in your resume to increase your chances.
Making contacts among people who already work in a mine is also a good way of landing a job. If you have friends who have found employment in Western Australia ask them to be on the lookout and alert you if they hear of a vacancy. They could do you a favor and talk directly to their boss about you. Most managers appreciate work referrals and value the advice of their employees.
If you don’t know anyone in the mining sector, try to contact people working there through online forums and job boards.
Try your luck
If you’re young and willing to travel, then by all means go to a popular mining town in Western Australia and try your luck. Sometimes people get a job on a mining site simply because they happen to be in the right spot at the right time.
Often enough a mining executive won’t want to waste time advertising the job or waiting for a recruiting agency to send them someone. If you happen to be there and have some skill, or at least the willingness to work hard you just might get a job.
Even a mine that is shutting down can offer great opportunities for short term employment. If you are lucky to get a temporary job on such a mining site, make sure to take it. It might only be for a few months, but it’s still money and you get some valuable work experience to put on your resume, which will surely help you to get another job in the mining industry later on.
