Resources Technology Showcase 2019: Call for united front on skills for new era of mining

Mobilising a local workforce with the skills to build WA’s new resource projects will require a united effort from the sector as well as training institutions and government, according to the industry’s peak services body.

Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy chief executive Stephen Durkin said the nature of work in mining, oil and gas was changing fast, particularly as the industry became more automated, digitalised and technologically advanced.

“With this in mind the resources professional of the future and the skills they will require will be starkly different to the professionals and skills of today, even in the next five years,” Mr Durkin said.

“Highly skilled professionals are already playing a key role in shaping this future of mining. It is increasingly essential resources companies continue to embrace this transformation to include a well-formed knowledge base that attracts a diversity of thought leadership.”

Mr Durkin will lead a panel discussion at the Resources Technology Showcase 2019 in Perth this month on skilling up the workforce.

RTS2019: See the full program, list of keynote speakers and the experts taking part in panel sessions.

He said the jobs revolution would create a more rounded professional with a broad range of technical and leadership skills, rather than a sole reliance on discipline-based specialists.

The test for industry would be to co-ordinate a united effort to communicate its future needs to tertiary institutions to deliver appropriate course structures and government to support the process to encourage a diverse, highly skilled, future workforce.

“As moderator, I will explore with panellists what they expect the workforce of tomorrow to look like, sharing key insights into trends they are seeing, and the changing needs of mining recruitment in a fluctuating industry,” Mr Durkin said.

“Taking a deep dive into how we make our industry more attractive to people with the right skills, I hope to invite panellists to share their ideas around improving the perception of the industry from a corporate and government perspective fostering collaboration for the future.”

RTS2019 will be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on November 27 and 28 and will include keynote speakers from some of WA’s biggest names in the resources sector.

A stellar line-up of keynote speakers from some of WA’s biggest names in the resources sector will revealed their plans on how technology will shape their projects while panel sessions will offer insights in the issues industry faces to stay competitive on the world stage.

A free grand exhibition will run alongside the conference, giving visitors a first-hand look at the technology already being used to build mining, oil and gas projects in WA.

For the full program of speakers and panels, or to register, go to rtsperth.com.au

Perth’s RTS2019

Dozens of resources leaders will convene in Perth for a world-first conference and exhibition which will reveal the technological future of their companies. The full program of keynote speakers and panel sessions and guests has now been released.

Secure your delegate pass now to be part of RTS2019. Here’s what you get ...

Conference: Exclusive access to world-first keynotes and expansive panel sessions

Network: Delegate functions and unrivalled access to industry leaders and regulators

Exposure: Hosted by Seven West Media, one of Australia’s biggest diversified media companies