The gold industry career path

As one of the largest employers within the Australian resources sector, the gold industry has a position and a career path for everyone.

Gold production in Australia is estimated to rise in the coming years, and with increased production comes a greater range of opportunities for employment in the industry.

And a surprising number of those opportunities lie beyond the operational site face, with many gold employees working in fields such as human resources, environment, community, technology, and data science.

“Not all roles will require previous qualifications or specific skill sets, so there really are opportunities for everyone,” Gold Industry Group chief executive officer Kristy Reilly told Australian Mining.

Equal opportunity is a key focus of the industry, with gold companies across the country working on initiatives to promote acceptance and inclusion for workers of all backgrounds.

“It’s amazing to see workers entering the industry from all different backgrounds,” Reilly said.

“With so many roles on offer, the industry truly is open to everyone and embraces diversity of all kinds.”

Reilly said it was important to get the message across that gold mining companies value a range of skills, not just those in geology and engineering.

“Sometimes people can feel that because they don’t meet all the requirements of a particular role, and haven’t worked in gold or resources previously, that they aren’t confident in applying for a position,” she said.

“What we are finding is that many of our members are now seeking candidates with complementary attributes and values, and that skills and experience from other industries and sectors are highly sought after by hiring managers.”

Another feature of the gold industry is its enthusiasm to embrace new technologies and adapt to new ways of work.

Reilly said the industry is always looking for new ways to streamline operations and keep workers safe, while providing highly desirable flexible work arrangements, making it an incredibly exciting field in which to be involved.

“The acceleration of automation and AI (artificial intelligence) by the industry brings demand for new technological skills, as well as social and emotional,” she said.

“These changes will require workers everywhere to deepen their existing skill sets or acquire new ones and we’re seeing many members invest in their people to ensure they are fully equipped for the job at hand.

“There are extensive opportunities for on-the-job training and career advancement, because gold companies will always support workers who want to advance their skills and knowledge within their role.” 

Many gold mining companies also offer apprenticeships, traineeships, and graduate programs to allow people to explore the industry while developing sought-after skills to help launch their careers in gold.

These programs are designed to give the emerging workforce invaluable exposure to the industry while they learn.

“We want to see the best outcomes for those entering into gold, and our members ensure workers are given the tools they need to contribute to the ever-growing industry,” Reilly said.

Workers who choose to build careers in gold, Reilly said, can make an impact and contribute to shaping the future of the industry and beyond.

“Whether it’s developing new technologies, improving processes, or finding new ways to solve problems, the work done by people in the gold industry can have a lasting and meaningful impact,” she said.

This feature appeared in the March 2023 issue of Australian Mining.

Australian Mining.

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