Thursday, July 16 2015
By Courtney Pearson
THE resources and mining sector has begun its recovery but it might take a while to reach the recruitment market, according to Hays.
The Hays June quarterly report stated it was a “positive sign of things to come” for candidates looking for work in the resources sector.
Most states were looking for temporary staff due to cost-cutting, consolidation and workforce flexibility.
The report recommended that NSW speed up its recruitment process as candidate levels have started to fall as they move into other industries.
In Queensland, the Mount Isa market was steady and vacancies in the Bowen Basin have increased.
“Employers in Queensland are prepared to look outside their normal catchment area and hire candidates with a fresh set of eyes and ideas to improve processes and strategies,” the report said.
WA was the only state focusing on permanent recruitment, although the roles were essential, statutory positions or production-focused.
The nature of hiring was also in stark contrast to the market three years ago, according to Hays.
“Across the country we’re seeing a focus from employers on cultural fit, which now often ranks as important as professional experience and qualifications,” the report said.
“This is even the case in the temporary market as employers want people who will fit into the existing team dynamic.”
Furthermore, workers are moving from WA to Queensland for work while Queensland workers were heading to Mount Isa as they are “no longer waiting for the work to come to them”.
Candidates were increasingly willing to commit to short-term contracts to secure long-term work, as well as on the lookout for organisations that provided long-term job security.
