Technological advancements in mining may lead to the demise of some specific roles, but overall employment in the sector should grow faster.

That's according to a new independent report by consultancy firm BAEconomics.This news should be welcome for anyone considering a higher education pathway into the mining industry, as skilled workers will become even more crucial in a high-tech environment.

CQUniversity has already shown it's possible to develop training and education pathways in concert with potential employers. In fact, workers on mine sites have been able to access tailor-made associate degrees without having to pause their careers or halt their income stream.

More recently, CQUniversity has responded to industry pleas for high-level project management skills with a new suite of postgraduate Project and Program Management programs developed especially for the resource and infrastructure sectors.

The University is also working to improve its overall responsiveness. The revamped Queensland Centre for Professional Development (QCPD) will help as a brokerage to ensure business and industry can find the best available solutions for upskilling employees, all the way from one-day sessions, to short courses to full degrees.

QCPD will offer a holistic approach to workforce skills development, skills analysis, articulation and credit transfer, and recognition of prior learning. It will continue to offer careers guidance services and to arrange supported pathways into the most critical careers.

The University is also poised to become Queensland's first dual-sector institution, with strong momentum towards amalgamation with Central Queensland Institute of TAFE, creating seamless pathways across vocational and tertiary qualifications within the next few years.

Specific examples recently have seen CQUniversity consult with Xstrata Coal Newlands Mine to offer a customised graduate certificate in management, leading to a graduate diploma in mining management which can articulate into an MBA or a Masters in Management (Engineering).

The University has previously created Associate Degrees in Mining and Geoscience (devised in consultation with BMA and AngloCoal), including the AD Geoscience, the AD Mine Technology and the AD Mine Operations Management.

Undergraduate options include specialised civil, electrical and mechanical streams within the suite of Engineering and Enginering Technology degrees.

At postgraduate level, mining-related options include Maintenance Management and Power Generation.