Skills shortages loom large in Western Australia

Australia, February 11: Western Australia is facing acute shortage of skilled workers, says BHP Billiton, the biggest resources company of the world.

These changes have come sooner than expected and there are serious concerns about such skill shortages, especially in Western Australia and Queensland, the two resource rich states of the country. This was stated by Marius Kloppers, chief executive, BHP Billiton. 

And the skills shortage is posing difficulties for the mining industry in terms of costs and operations. 

Earlier this week, some major changes have been introduced into the skilled migration program of Australia to help attract high-end skilled workers into the country. The reforms are aimed to maximize gains for Australia’s economy in the coming times, stated Chris Evans, Australia’s Immigration Minister. 

The minister had stated that the recent changes to the skilled migration program of Australia were in line with the much needed limit for skilled migration to Australia by allowing only the highest caliber workers into the country and not those for low-end vocational courses. 

The year 2009 saw nearly 170,000 immigrants applying to live and work in Australia as skilled migrant workers. 

The miner send a clear warning about the Henry Tax Review which is likely to recommend replacing state-based royalties with RRT(resource rent tax) on mining projects. Mr. Kloppers said that although he is unsure about the details of the review, but the country needs to be aware that it is regarded as a fiscally stable destination for investment. 

He went on to add saying that it was of utmost importance for the mining companies that there will be no change in the rules while they make investments. Hence, he gave assurances about future investments from BHP Billiton in not just Australia but also in Canada, US and Chile, all of which have sound fiscal stability. 

Shortage of skilled workers was less comparatively lesser during the global recession, said Heather Ridout, the chief executive of the Australian Industry Group. She added that such skills shortage is being anticipated across several occupations in the year 2010, as per the research by the company.