On Thursday, BHP CEO Mike Henry announced BHP’s commitment to training and funding for 3,500 new Australian apprenticeship and training positions, and driving up to $450 million into supporting business opportunities in Australia’s mining, equipment, technology and services (METS) sector.
Mr Henry said the major skills and technology package would be good for both the company and the country, as Australia focuses on its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The nearly $800 million package announced yesterday comprises three key elements to be deployed over the next five years:
- An increase of 2,500 apprenticeships and traineeships through the BHP FutureFit Academy, established earlier this year, with associated spend of $300 million;
- A further 1,000 skills development opportunities across a range of sectors in regional areas. The company will invest $30 million and work with the Australian Government to create advanced apprenticeships and short courses in areas of potential future workforce demand; and
- BHP will commit up to $450 million spend in contracts with Australian METS companies and further advancement of this sector. It will work directly and through its major technology providers to source more local products and services, and will invest in technology pilots and emerging businesses.
“As Australia looks to rebuild its economy and provide jobs for the future, the mining industry has an important role to play as Australia’s biggest export earner employing hundreds of thousands of people,” Mr Henry said.
“The mining and METS sector is a critical pillar of our economy, and it has never been more important than now.”
“Providing apprenticeships, skills and training opportunities for Australians of all ages and all walks of life, particularly in our regional communities, is a commitment we can make to help Australia bounce back.”
“These investments will create a pipeline of future talent in highly skilled roles, working in an industry that delivers essential products to the world and generates export dollars that keep the Australian economy strong,” he said.
BHP FutureFit Academy
BHP pledges to create 2,500 new apprenticeship and traineeship positions over the next five years through the BHP FutureFit Academy, established in March 2020, with associated spend of $300 million. Places would be split between the Academy’s campuses in Mackay in Queensland and Welshpool (Perth) in Western Australia.
Apprenticeships are on offer for heavy diesel fitters and mechanical fitters, with the program also offering a one-year Certificate II maintenance traineeship.
Training is delivered in conjunction with CQ University and North Metropolitan TAFE (Perth). To date, more than 450 people have enrolled.
As these opportunities become available they will be posted on BHP’s Careers portal.
METS sector
The METS sector is an important part of the Australian economy and has a deep indirect multiplier effect over many parts of the nation’s industrial base.
It has also been identified as a sector that has significant potential for economic and employment growth subject to the right settings and support.
BHP has identified a package of $450 million that it could bring to support METS sector growth in Australia, including new BHP contracts with Australian suppliers, working with its major technology providers to source more local products or work, and new investments in technology pilots and emerging businesses.
Regional skills development
BHP is working with the Federal Department of Education Skills and Employment in relation to the Future of Work Partnership program.
This program will involve working with the tertiary sector to create opportunities for up to 1,000 people over the next five years in regional areas to receive skills and training across a range of industries to help support healthy, diverse local economies.
The training is designed to support access to employment and employees small to medium businesses, particularly those outside the mining sector who may have felt the impacts of COVID-19 more greatly.
Industry welcomes the news
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) Chief Executive Officer Paul Everingham said BHP’s commitment will help develop the types of skilled workers the mining and resources sector needs for the future.
“Apprenticeship and traineeship commencements across the WA resources sector have increased year-on-year for the past two years, and with initiatives like BHP’s expansion of the FutureFit Academy, we’d expect this trend to continue.”
“With more than $120 billion in mining and resources projects in the pipeline across WA and the technology involved in the sector evolving all the time, there is a strong need to develop the skilled workers of tomorrow.”
Mr Everingham said businesses that focus on the equipment, technology and innovation required by mining and resources operators are crucial to the future success of the sector.
“BHP’s commitment to these future contracts will help provide the certainty businesses need to invest in emerging technologies and pilot programs, and further increase employment opportunities in a METS sector that already employs some 300,000 Australians.”
“Australia is an acknowledged leader in the METS sector but continued investment is needed to keep us there and, in turn, ensure our mining and resources operations stay globally competitive,” he commented.