The Queensland minerals and energy sector's continuing need for skilled employees has been given top priority by CQUniversity and industry peak body the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to address skills shortages in the Queensland resources sector...

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QREX mines expertise of Uni

QRC Chief Executive Michael Roche announced this week (Monday August 20) at Queensland Resources Expo (QREX) that a path-breaking agreement had been struck by QRC President, Nicole Hollows and CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor John Rickard.

QRC's Michael Roche speaks at QREX

"Despite the global recession, the skills shortage is far from resolved and still exists, and this will become increasingly evident as global demand for minerals and energy commodities starts to rebound," Mr Roche said.

"It's in the interests of all Queenslanders to ensure that we are not caught short for the next upturn, while at the same time providing new and exciting career opportunities for young people."

Professor Rickard welcomed the opportunity for the University to work with individual mining companies and the QRC to enhance regional career prospects.

"While it is pleasing to see the MoU focus on industry-specific skills, it's also noteworthy that the skills required for sustainable resource sector communities including health, childcare and business are also on this agenda," Professor Rickard said.

"CQUniversity is uniquely placed to help local Queenslanders achieve their place in the Resources sector, not only because of our geographical links to the mining sector but because of the quality of our programs, the skills level of our staff and our close relationships with scores of operators in the region," added Professor Rickard.

The QRC-CQUniversity union supports the QRC's vision to collaborate with selected mission-lead universities in Queensland to concentrate resources and teaching talent.

Mr Roche said the recently completed Bradley Review of Higher Education in Australia was a pointer to the future.

"Mission-lead universities not only enhance the alignment between education and research outcomes for the resources sector but also increase the quality of student education experiences," he said.

"The QRC believes that this will contribute to transforming the lives of people in regional and resource communities and, as part of the broader aspiration identified by Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard on 21 May in her Post-Budget speech 'Investing in education and innovation to create the jobs of the future' .

"CQUniversity is ideally placed to meet that aspiration."

"The QRC and its member companies remain committed to supporting secondary and tertiary education and training."

Mr Roche said that with the sector's workforce continuing to age and in expectation that retirements will accompany economic recovery, demand for skills would rise steadily again.

"Our industries are global. Australian-qualified and experienced personnel will always be in demand for planning projects and operating sites around the world," he said.

Details are available at: http://www.qrex.com.au/

Program details via: http://www.qrex.com.au/programme/2009-program/