Careers in the Minerals and Energy Industry
Interviews with employees in the Minerals and Energy Industry.
Trades
People with engineering, mechanical, electrical and construction trades are employed within the minerals and energy industry. Entry to trade occupations requires completion of an apprenticeship. Prospective apprentices enter into an agreement with an employer to be trained over a fixed period of time (usually 4 years), while working for that employer.
Plant & Machinery Operations
The skills required for Plant and Machinery Operations occupations in the minerals and energy industry are usually gained by experience in other related positions or through training programs conducted by individual companies, training providers or courses at TAFEWA.
The mines Safety and Inspections Regulations of 1995, which govern the mining industry in Western Australia, require an individual to be 18 years of age to be employed in an underground mine. Also a number of occupations require a current license: for example, a truck driver must hold the appropriate license.
The operation of individual plant and machinery items requires appropriate certification, provided as on-the-job training. This equips operators with a range of skills and opportunities to develop a career pathway into positions reflecting skill, experience, leadership and responsibility.
Administration & Support
These occupations provide business, administrative and support services to the minerals and energy industry. Because industry operations are often located in remote regions of the State, it is often necessary for resources companies to provide infrastructure and services to support regional and remote communities. For example, a company may build, operate and maintain its own workers' camps, site facilities, railways, ports and even towns. Occupations in this area are diverse and range from catering and cleaning staff, groundskeepers, electricians and plumbers, to business managers, human resource officers, secretaries and accountants. This results in a wide range of occupations with a number of different qualification and experiential levels.
Business administrative and support services jobs are also integral to the companies' head offices, often located in the capital city or major regional towns. Some of these job opportunities require tertiary or TAFEWA qualifications while other occupations require minimal experience and would develop following on-the-job training.
Technical
Most technical occupations require students to complete an appropriate course of study at a TAFEWA institution or other training provider. While the minimum entry requirement for some courses is completion of Year 10 level, students are advised to continue to study at Year 11 or 12 level to be competitive for course entry. Some technical occupations may require further tertiary qualifications.
Many of the Technical occupations outlined can be viewed as positions which support and assist the scientific and engineering aspects of the minerals and energy industry. A satisfactory background in mathematics and science subjects to at least Year 10 level, and Year 12 where appropriate, is recommended.
Engineering & Science
The minerals and energy industry employs a significant number of engineering and science professionals. Students intending to pursue careers in science and engineering are required to have a good understanding of mathematics, chemistry and physics. To study for engineering and science tertiary qualifications, year 12 students are expected to attain a high academic standard in order to be competitive for tertiary admission.
Geologist
Geologists study the nature, composition and structure of the earth to increase scientific knowledge. They locate materials and minerals, and advise on the extraction of minerals, environmental protection and rehabilitation of land after mining.
Processing Engineer
Minerals process engineers transform low value impure minerals, recycled materials and by-products of other processing operations into commercially valuable products. Minerals process engineers may be employed in process design, development, control and management.
Environmental Worker
Environmental engineers are concerned with assessing and managing the effects of human activity on the natural and built environments. They apply their engineering knowledge to environmental impact assessment, natural resource management, pollution control and minimisation of impact of waste.
Metallurgist (Minerals Processing)
Metallurgists research, control and develop processes used in extracting metals from their ores or for refining metals. Metallurgists work at mineral processing sites and may specialise in either primary (extractive) or secondary (physical) metallurgy. Primary metallurgists are most often employed by the minerals and energy industry.
Rock Mechanics Engineer
Geological engineers identify and try to solve problems involving soil, rock and groundwater, and design structures in and below the ground, using the principles of earth science.
Minerals Processing Engineer
Minerals process engineers transform low value, impure raw materials into commercially valuable products. The main sources of these raw materials are low grade minerals, by-products of other processing operations and recycled materials. Minerals process engineers are employed in all stages of raw materials processing.
Grader Operator
Grader operators are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of graders to spread and level materials on site.
Legal Council
A lawyer provides advice to clients on a variety of matter and may write and submit documents on their behalf as well as represent them in court or at tribunal hearings. They may specialise in such areas as litigation, family law, criminal law, probate, property, commercial law, personal injury and worker compensation.
Career in the Minerals and Energy Industry
The Western Australian minerals and energy industry offers a broad range of opportunities for young people. It is a socially proactive, dynamic and diverse industry that employs thousands of Western Australians.
It provides people with rewarding career pathways that may begin in Western Australia and evolve into the international arena. It is an industry of responsible practice, comprised of committed and passionate people who make substantial contributions to the way we are living our lives today and how we will live in the future.
Scheduling Officer Mine Shift Manager
A mine shift manager regularly inspects mine sites, both above and below ground,
makes sure that roadways are in safe condition , supervises shotfiring,
conducts tests to detect the presence of gas, and makes sure underground ventilation is adequate, makes sure mine personnel know and comply with safety regulations and emergency procedures for electrical and mechanical equipment, the storage and use of explosives and the support structure of the mine.
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory workers assist scientists in the physical, chemical, biological or life sciences by collecting and preparing samples, carrying out experiments, making measurements with scientific equipment, recording results and presenting results for critical analysis.
Geologist
Geologists study the nature, composition and structure of the earth to increase scientific knowledge. They locate materials and minerals, and advise on the extraction of minerals, environmental protection and rehabilitation of land after mining.
Secretary
Office administrators undertake a range of functions to enable the administrative side of a business to run smoothly. They may be responsible for or assist in human resource, budget, accommodation, property and facility management. These functions can be performed at various levels ranging from junior through to upper management.
Human Resources Officer
Human Resource Officers provide employment and personnel administration services within an organisation.
Specialist Safety Advisor
Occupational Safety and Health Officers coordinate an enterprise's safety and health program and provide advice on accident prevention and occupational health to all levels of management and employees.
Training Officer
Training officers plan, develop, implement, and evaluate training and development programs in organisations.
Community Liaison Officer
Community Relations professionals manage the relationship between industry, governments and local communities to establish and maintain harmonious relationships between stakeholders. The role can involve preparing submissions and reports, developing community programs and policies and encouraging community involvement in pertinent environmental, cultural and health issues.
Mining Engineer
Mining engineers plan and direct the engineering aspects of extracting minerals from the earth.
Process Engineer
Minerals process engineers transform low value, impure raw materials into commercially valuable products. The main sources of these raw materials are low grade minerals, by-products of other processing operations and recycled materials. Minerals process engineers are employed in all stages of raw materials processing.
Surveyor
Mine surveyors measure underground and open cut mine workings in full detail.
