Engineering In Mining
ENGINEERS are starting to see an upturn in demand for their skills in Tasmania, which was the only state that did not mirror the broader downturn across Australia (but only marginally)
This is the key finding of the Australian Engineering Vacancies Report – Trends in 2019 that was released in February by Engineers Australia, the leading body representing engineering professionals in Australia.
The regularly updated jobs vacancies report is one of the key services provided by Engineers Australia, and CEO Dr Bronwyn Evans said the report focusses on specific trends in the labour market for engineers.
Civil engineering job vacancies continue to dominate the Australian jobs scene.
“The awarding of major civil infrastructure projects has generated business for associated industries boosting the demand for civil engineers,” Dr Evans said.
NSW is the State with the highest number of advertised engineering vacancies in Australia, but levels have declined over the past year.
WA, Queensland and Victoria also recorded high numbers of job vacancies for engineers in Australia, stated the report which analyses job vacancies data for 2019.
For Australia as a whole, however, engineering vacancies across the economy have been on a downward trend for the 2019 year, stated the report.
“Thankfully, the trends show a recovery for engineering vacancies towards the end of 2019 and this is expected to continue in line with predictions for broader economic recovery,” said Dr Evans.
Engineers Australia provides a wide range of services to business, students, migrants and its members including technical journals, advocacy and statistical data, conferences and training and development activities.
AUSTRALIA could be on the cusp of another strong rise in mining employment, and educational organisations such as the Engineering Institute of Technology are responding to this market signal with tailor-made courses.
According to the Australian Mines and Metals Association, there are $41b of mining projects set to roll off the drawing board over the period 2020-2024.
These extra projects, if realised, could result in a rise of 20,000 jobs over the next five years and push the jobs total in the mining sector to 260,000.
Automation, digital communications and data processing are creating new skill areas that are in demand for mining companies that are seeking to sharpen their competitive edge in the global market.
The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is a pioneering provider of automation and new technology courses in engineering that enable mining industry workers to update their skills in these rapidly-evolving job areas.
EIT’s two-year Master of Engineering (Industrial Automation) focusses on skills and knowledge required in the latest developing technologies of instrumentation, process control and industrial automation. The degree includes practical guidance from industrial automation experts from around the world.
The qualification is accredited by the Australian government’s Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), which regulates and assures the quality of Australian academic institutions, and is also accredited by professional body Engineers Australia under the Washington Accord.
EIT also delivers an 52708WA Advanced Diploma of Industrial Automation over an 18-month period which has a strong practical focus and is recognised by the International Society of Automation.
This program is also accredited by Engineers Australia under the Dublin Accord.
The course allows students to gain skills in the areas of automation, process control and industrial automation and is deemed suitable for electrical engineers and electricians, energy management consultants, project managers and production managers to name but a few.
The advanced diploma is also suitable for people with technical or trade qualifications who want to make their next career step, or those with substantial relevant experience wanting to formalise their achievements.
Some of EIT’s courses are delivered online through live, online tutorials, and utilise remote laboratories, simulation software, and course materials that are accessible through its online Learning Management System.
EIT also has campuses in Melbourne and Perth.