Mining jobs?

[eld246]

Hi, I am currently working as a sales rep here in Melbourne and I really would like a change of career. My dream is to eventually buy houses and renovate them and sell for a profit. Obviously I need $$$ to fund these projects.

I was thinking about working in the mines for a couple of years to be able to fund these projects. I am willing to do anything as long as it pays well and allows me to acheive my goal. After doing some research about mining jobs I have come to the conclusion that it is extremely hard to get into unless you have a contact in the industry. I don't have a trade or any experience in mining and this seems to be the major problem.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me to help me acheive my goals?

 

[haywood jablome]

After doing some research about mining jobs I have come to the conclusion that it is extremely hard to get into unless you have a contact in the industry. I don't have a trade or any experience in mining and this seems to be the major problem.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me to help me acheive my goals?

You answered your own question. Get a contact or learn a trade/skill that is of value to a mining company. Do more research, check the major miners out for the types of jobs they are advertising. Join the industry groups and start to network. The truth is if you really wanted it you would find ways to achieve your goal, I don't want to judge you but at this stage it seems you are not really putting enough effort in. You say you want to make lots of money, but you don't offer any value to the company. Lots of people want to earn lots of money.

 

[Zumbido]

Hi, I am currently working as a sales rep here in Melbourne and I really would like a change of career. My dream is to eventually buy houses and renovate them and sell for a profit. Obviously I need $$$ to fund these projects.

I was thinking about working in the mines for a couple of years to be able to fund these projects. I am willing to do anything as long as it pays well and allows me to acheive my goal. After doing some research about mining jobs I have come to the conclusion that it is extremely hard to get into unless you have a contact in the industry. I don't have a trade or any experience in mining and this seems to be the major problem.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me to help me acheive my goals?

I'm currently working in the mining industry, so feel qualified to comment. There's a few things that you need to know:

1) Yes, the pay can be high, but so are your expenses and it's a lot of work. Don't expect 'easy' money, you'll work very long hours and earn every cent of your pay. Still a good opportunity though.

2) Be prepared to work in a remote part of the country, don't expect to be based in a capital city (or even a major regional centre) and don't, for the love of god, expect fly-in fly-out. Sure, there are these jobs going, but without the skills and qualifications you won't get them.

3) Try calling up some contractor companies like Leightons - they generally have the highest turnovers (and hence the most vacancies) and are always looking for people. Never hurts to lodge your resume with the big companies too, and follow up with a phone call to the HR departments. Got to be in it to win it.

4) Be prepared to do anything. They might need an admin, or a truck driver. As someone without a trade or relevant qualifications, you won't have as many options available so don't be picky.

5) Look for expansion projects (i.e. Surat basin in Qld, or the LPG fields in WA), projects that are 'ramping up' will be looking for workers.



The key thing is patience. The industry is expanding, and the workforce is pretty old. If you're really willing to do anything, and will work anywhere in the country then the opportunity will arise.

Remember that the mining industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, it's not just going to give you the job and the money. It's a lot of work, and it's often in very remote corners of the country. If you can handle that, you'll do OK.

 

[eld246]

I'm currently working in the mining industry, so feel qualified to comment. There's a few things that you need to know:

1) Yes, the pay can be high, but so are your expenses and it's a lot of work. Don't expect 'easy' money, you'll work very long hours and earn every cent of your pay. Still a good opportunity though.

2) Be prepared to work in a remote part of the country, don't expect to be based in a capital city (or even a major regional centre) and don't, for the love of god, expect fly-in fly-out. Sure, there are these jobs going, but without the skills and qualifications you won't get them.

3) Try calling up some contractor companies like Leightons - they generally have the highest turnovers (and hence the most vacancies) and are always looking for people. Never hurts to lodge your resume with the big companies too, and follow up with a phone call to the HR departments. Got to be in it to win it.

4) Be prepared to do anything. They might need an admin, or a truck driver. As someone without a trade or relevant qualifications, you won't have as many options available so don't be picky.

5) Look for expansion projects (i.e. Surat basin in Qld, or the LPG fields in WA), projects that are 'ramping up' will be looking for workers.



The key thing is patience. The industry is expanding, and the workforce is pretty old. If you're really willing to do anything, and will work anywhere in the country then the opportunity will arise.

Remember that the mining industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, it's not just going to give you the job and the money. It's a lot of work, and it's often in very remote corners of the country. If you can handle that, you'll do OK.

Thanks for the advice mate, I used to know a couple of people who were in the mining industry so I realise there are costs involved and the hours are long and the site are in the middle of nowhere but I am prepared for that.

Good info on Leightons, I will definitely contact them about any opportunities they have. I am absolutely willing to do anything as long as the pay is high because it will allow me the funds to reach my goal. The people I used to know used to drive trucks and I would definitely be keen to do something similar, obviously without a trade I have to take what I can get. Seems easier to get a job (from what I can tell so far) if you're in the area, seems alot harder if you're trying to get a job from another state.

Thanks again for the info mate

 

[James23]

From having a few friends do mining jobs, itd be in your best interest to get a truck licence.. easy to get, and a highly needed skill

 

[Off Tap]

I work for one of the bigger recruiting agencies here in Mackay and it's pretty hard to get onto the mines if you're looking for an operator role with no experience.

You only need a C class licence and I wouldn't be hurrying out getting a truck licence or doing any truck courses as they are a waste of money. It can cost you up to $5k to do one of the simulator courses and it doesn't get you any further up the list.

We get about 50 calls a day for cleanskins trying to get a truckie role, the mining companies and contractors would be getting them in the 100's.

We're recruiting for a mine on the bottom of the Bowen Bassin where we need operators with 6 - 12 months experience at the moment. We ran an ad on seek over the weekend and had about 160 apply and not 1 person had any experience.

If it was me trying to get on I would be checking the website of HSE Mining as they are looking for 100 cleanskins for their 2 mines that they have contracts at. hsemining.com.au

Other than that have a look at BMA, RIO, Wesfarmers, Xstrata, Anglo Coal. The contrators are Leightons, Thiess, John Holland, Macmahons, Downers etc. Most are looking for cleanskins and they advertise them on their website career pages.

Keep in mind that they get 100's per week apply so you have to be really lucky to get a shot. Most companies don't reply to the applications and that's only because they don't have the staff to contact everyone back.

If you don't want to drive trucks the best apprenticeship would have to be diesel fitting with the heavy machinery. Guys coming out of their time are pulling $150k per annum. We're trying to get fitters and they good ones are asking for $70 per hour to change jobs.

Best of luck with your searches but the mines are openinig up again and you might get lucky.