Western Australia’s Youth Week, running from April 10-17, provides a platform to address the skills shortage in the Australian mining sector. With young people making up nearly 20% of the state’s population, initiatives are underway to increase awareness of mining careers. A 2023 survey indicated that a significant portion of respondents were unaware of mineral processing as a viable field of study, prompting the industry to take a more proactive educational role. Mining giants like Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) are implementing education-based programs providing schools, parents, and students with relevant information to help them make informed decisions about mining career pathways.
The Youth Week launch in Karratha, a hub for major mining operations like Citic Pacific Mining, Rio Tinto, and BHP (ASX:BHP), underscores the importance of the region to the industry. Western Australia produced 860.38 million tonnes of iron ore in 2023 alone. Karratha is also experiencing growth in gold, lithium, zinc, and cobalt projects. As such, these events and initiatives aim to spark interest in these emerging industries amongst younger generations and promote awareness of opportunities for future employment and economic growth in the region and beyond.
