Jobs exodus to WA mines

[pies4ever]

Jobs exodus to WA mines
John Masanauskas
January 04, 2007

BRICKIE'S labourer turned rigger Greg Bellemey is part of a growing exodus of Victorian workers going west, chasing big salaries at booming WA mining towns.

The 38-year-old from East Doncaster is earning up to $150,000 at remote WA mining sites -- triple his wage in Melbourne.
The WA Government is luring more interstate workers through the Go West Now campaign.

About 1500 Victorians have joined since its launch by WA Premier Alan Carpenter on the eve of last year's AFL Grand Final.

Victorians make up about two-thirds of all registrations and local industries are becoming increasingly concerned about losing skilled workers.

Master Builders Association of Victoria executive director Brian Welch said even unskilled workers such as cleaners and truck drivers were earning $100,000 in WA's mining towns.

He said the Victorian building industry had a serious labour shortage.

"The hardest thing is finding competent people to do the work," he said.

"We also have a State Government that seems incompetent to bring apprentices through the system."

But a spokesman for Employment Minister Jacinta Allan said the number of apprentices and traineeships had doubled with a $6.3 billion investment in education and training.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21007859-662,00.html

[Proud Pies]

good money that...they also pay for him to come back to melb every 5 weeks, pay for accommodation in perth if needed and all his meals and accommodation at the mining site.

Having spent some time at WA mines,they aren't that bad a place to be.

[Dale61]

Not sure if it's the same company, but I have a mate who looked into going over as his brother was keen to give it a go, and both were out of work at the time.

Apparently, the airfare is for a return ticket only. The company flies you to Perth and provides accomodation (in a hostel similar to what the YMCA has, mind you), but if you want to fly anywhere else, you have to pay for a one-way ticket yourself, as you already have a voucher for the return trip.

You are expected to work 12-hour shifts, 7 days a week, in order to get 2 weeks leave every 5 weeks.

Whilst onsite, you CANNOT leave the compound for any reason, unless approved by management. However, most things you'll ever need are available onsite.

[Proud Pies]

[Didaicos]

I can speak from first hand that the mining industry is booming; they can barely fill positions. 3 of my mates recently got jobs. In fact I may go my self there next year. It's not only WA. Queensland as well. South Australia also has a lot of natural gas reserves just beginning to open up.

It's hard work (i.e. Labour intensive 12 hour days 3 weeks straight) but it's usually 3 weeks on 3 weeks off.

[Proud Pies]

be careful where yo do go.

My brother is thinking of going to one up in north queensland, but the rent is astronomical. His wife is trying to get a job as a teacher there and if she does, then she can rent housing for a much lower price.

Some of the mining towns don't help with accommodation.

[BJ]

I've been working in the mining industry for many years now, mainly in WA and have not seen employment rates so high.

The money is a big lure for many. But if you are thinking of getting into the industry be aware that remote locations are the norm and shift work is usually the only way to make decent money if you are relatively new to the industry or are semi-skilled. Money is not always everything, and generally sacrifices need to be made to make something of yourself in this game, this includes family/social balances being comprimised regularly and high demands on your work performance. The perception of making big dollars is real, but be aware, you don't get big dollars for nothing.

[skaman]

[Proud Pies]

No Townsville skaman, i think it's around Weipa they are going.

However, my niece and her boyfriend have recently moved to Townsville for uni.

[skaman]

[Proud Pies]

lol, well these 2 are real intelligent.

had their car stolen the first week...........they did leave the keys in it