A Skills Revolution
BY ELIZABETH FABRI GROWTH has returned to mining, with demand for workers once again rising as new or mothballed operations are given the green light, and existing mines expand. But how will the industry cope as labour demand exceeds supply? Ten years ago, getting a job in the resources sector looked a little different. Dump truck tickets and other driver-operator skills were in high demand; the work was tough, but for those lucky enough to land a gig, a lucrative wage would await them. Then came the downturn – everybody felt the sting – with many skilled workers leaving the industry for good during a jobs drain. But commodity prices have now recovered, and a construction boom has returned, meaning…