WA Mining Job Figures – The Real Story

PR Log (Press Release) – Aug 26, 2009 – “While there have been job losses within the industry, the situation is nowhere near as grim as the report would indicate,” said CME Chief Executive Reg Howard-Smith.

Mining companies are required to report on a monthly basis to the Resources Safety Division of the Department of Mines and Petroleum regarding the average number of employees on site. This information captures both direct employees and contractors.

“These figures show that employment numbers peaked in October 2008 at 77,528. While that is now down to 67,865 as of June 2009, there still continues to be demand for skilled and experienced people in the sector. In other words, the decrease in overall numbers is 12%, not the reported 40%.

“In many instances, employees who have been made redundant have been offered redeployment elsewhere in the sector.”

Mr Howard-Smith said that now was a great time for people to obtain relevant qualifications which would assist them when the next anticipated wave of growth is experienced by the industry.