Filipinos encouraged to apply for Australian visas

Posted: 11/12/2013 12:00:00 PM by Guest blogger, Beck Meade
Filed under: Career-resources, Diversity, Job-seekers, AWRA
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From starting a meet-up group to reaching out to other FIFO families in my area, I created a non-profit support group called ‘FIFO connections’ about four months ago. We provide social support on multiple levels for FIFO spouses. We run a private Facebook group where we engage, support, nurture and learn from other FIFO wives; women from other parts of Australia are members too. [could very well extend to FIFO wives; women living in the Philippines in the not too distant future. What says ya, kababayans back home?]

By organising get-togethers in my local area, I get face-to-face engagement with people whom I now call my friends and we have regular catch-ups outside of our FIFO connections.

In two years, in my own mind, I have gone from (in Katy Perry's words) "zero to hero". I’m thankful for this FIFO life that has empowered me as a woman, mother, and now as a business leader.

I climbed out of the proverbial hole of non-existence and now I am ready to pass-on the skills I have learnt to others who are fulfilling their role as FIFO wives/partners. I strongly believe that we are the foundation of this industry, and we all know, that behind every good man is a GREAT woman.

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To read more, click http://www.miningoilgasjobs.com.au/our-blog/december-2013-(1)/always-look-on-the-bright-side-of-your-fifo-wife-l.aspx

For Filipino wives living in the Philippines, also, "Always look on the $$$$$ side of your ‘FIFO wife-life’".

Australian Mining 23 February, 2012 Andrew Duffy

While mining companies are hungrier than ever for workers many applicants are finding it impossible to get work in the industry.
Scam sites, preying on the enthusiasm of workers, are also proliferating, and cheating more and more job seekers out of their time and money.
With this in mind Australian Mining has named its top two online resources for workers seeking mining jobs.
Between the two of them these websites contain a wealth of information on how to find employment, and are a great starting point for the mining job hunt.
If other job seekers know of some high quality, professional sources of information, share them with the community in the comments below.
 
Mining, Oil, and Gas jobs
http://www.miningoilandgasjobs.com
Unlike a lot of the junk out there Mining, Oil, and Gas Jobs is a professional organisation run by the resources industry.
The Australian Mines and Metals Association is the driving force behind the website, which connects job seekers, employers, industry figures, and training organisations in one place.
There's a wealth of genuine free information for job seekers, and with its official links, workers can be assured they won't feel cheated.
One of the best aspects of Mining, Oil, and Gas Jobs is their strong presence on social media and willingness to interact with their users.
 
The Resource Channel
http://www.theresourcechannel.com.au
Like Mining, Oil, and Gas Jobs, The Resource Channel is a professional organisation.
It's also supported by the mining industry, with official endorsements from the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association and Minerals Council of Australia.
Whilst gaining official endorsements, The Resource Channel also keeps at arms length from specific organisations, which it claims gives it an edge with independence and objectivity.
Its newsletters are relevant and not filled with junk, and its blogs feature a wide range of guest writers producing quality content.

I agree wholeheartedly with this article..There are other wwebsites as well, just try gorgonjobs.com and indeed.com.au
It is hard to break, I had many years experience in HR and only after about 200 applications are the firms taking an interest in me and carrying out interviews, phone ones I might say, no need to travel to get the job. Good luck to all . Thanks for articles, I will keep getting this email sent to me.

Thanks and I will let you all know when I get a start , albeit in WA or NT, or QLD Regards

Warren

Updated 16 December 2013, 0:47 AEST By resources reporter Sue Lannin

A skills shortage in the oil and gas industry may be filled by foreign workers if the resources industry and Australian governments do not do more to train workers, a new report has found.

The Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency (AWPA) says in its Resources Sector Skills Needs 2013 report that as mining investment winds down, tens of thousands of jobs are expected to go in the construction industry.

It recommends that the resources industry works with governments and education providers to develop a national strategy for the oil and gas industry with new university courses and apprenticeship schemes.

AWPA board member Keith Spence says a new approach is needed to get more local workers into oil and gas.
"Industry needs to work together rather than independently," he told the ABC.

"There are some fantastic examples of programs that individual companies are running. But what it needs is a more co-ordinated approach."

The report warned of a "highly volatile phase ahead" for resources construction, as the number of estimated jobs falls from an expected 83,324 in 2014 to 7,708 in 2018.

Employment in mining production is predicted to rise by about 7 per cent from 236,690 workers in 2013 to 254,260 in 2018 as the export phase of the resources boom takes over.

At the same time, the report says the number of jobs in oil and gas is likely to jump by nearly two thirds from just under 39,000 workers in 2013 to 61,212 in 2018.

But the report says it will be "difficult to source" many of these specialist roles locally so highly trained foreign workers are expected to be hired as supervisors in Australia's booming oil and gas industry.

Global energy giant Shell has said about 10 per cent of its workforce on the Prelude floating LNG project off northern Australia will be filled by highly trained foreign staff.

Calls for more collaboration on training programs
Mr Spence says more needs to be done by governments and industry to train oil and gas workers.
"The challenge here is quite significant. There is substantial growth in operations workforce both in mining and oil and gas," he said.

"Our fear is that without some coordinated effort we won't step up to the mark as well as we could."
The report identifies a shortage of drillers, mining engineers, and chemical, gas, petroleum and power generation plant operators.

The agency is calling for new university courses and apprenticeship programs for specialist oil and gas jobs based on the UK's Oil and Gas Upstream Technician Training Scheme and Western Australia's energy apprenticeship scheme.
It also wants post graduate training for workers in automation as more companies use technology to improve productivity and save money.

The report says more attention is needed to attract students to study science, technology, engineering and maths - skills which it says have declined considerably in recent years.

Mining workers highly skilled, older and predominantly male
The AWPA report found the mining industry remained male dominated with 85 per cent of the workforce male.

A high proportion of mining workers were highly skilled compared to the rest of the workforce, with nearly two-thirds holding a Certificate III level qualification or higher, compared to 58 per cent across all industries.

Mining industry workers also tended be older, with 58 per cent of workers aged from 25 to 44, compared to the all industries average of 45 per cent.

The government's commodity forecaster, the Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics, said last month that mining investment had peaked and the number and value of major resources projects had fallen from $268 billion in April to $240 billion in October.

It said Australia was seeing a transition from mining investment to export production in the resources industry.

Australian Trucking Association appeals for government to make foreign drivers eligible for 457 visas to aid shortage
News.com.au 14 hours ago January 04, 2014 10:00PM

FOREIGN overseas truckies could be recruited to address a critical shortage of local truck drivers.

An ageing workforce and a negative image created by high-profile fatal accidents and police crackdowns on dodgy trucking companies is leading to a critical shortage of truck drivers.

Reports of drivers breaking speed limits, semi-trailers caught with major defects and heavy vehicles smashing into motorway tunnels, are turning potential recruits away, the industry concedes.

In 2013, 56 people in NSW were killed in crashes involving a heavy truck.

Now, the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) is so worried that the $18 billion a year road freight industry will be crippled, it has appealed to the federal government to allow foreign drivers to cover shortages.

And on the eve of tougher fatigue rules for drivers, employers also want government help with recruitment campaigns to attract more young drivers into the ageing workforce. [Yet another endangered species]

In a submission to the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency, which provides advice to the government on how to tackle skill shortages, the ATA asked that heavy vehicle driving be added to the migration Skilled Occupation List, so overseas drivers can apply for a 457 work visa.

The ATA also said the truck driver workforce is ageing. The average age of a truckie is now 43.

By 2016, close to 20 per cent of drivers will be at retirement age.

The submission said that the heavy vehicle industry is "under pressure from severe driver shortages and a negative image problem".

"Challenging and changing the negative images portrayed by the media about the heavy vehicle industry is important in order to attract new entrants to the industry," the submission said.

The ATA said a lack of family life/work balance, health problems and limited training opportunities are also barriers to recruiting young people.

ATA National Policy Manager David Coonan said while the industry makes attracting and training young drivers a priority, it is not meeting driver shortages.

"The ATA recommends that the federal government change the Skilled Occupation List to include heavy vehicle drivers in order for temporary, competent foreign drivers to supplement the Australian workforce," Mr Coonan said.

Ben Allen, is 23 and loves working for as a casual driver for Farey's Transport in Wagga Wagga.

His boss, Des Harris, said Ben, who also works as a nurse, is one of the firm's most conscientious employees.
"I have always loved the big trucks and I tell the other boys here that I come to work to get my driving 'fix'," Ben said.
"It's a great career and having my heavy vehicle licence is something that I can always fall back on."

Concerns of a driver shortage come as new national fatigue regulations, starting on February 10, give trucking companies more flexibility to ask drivers to work longer hours, if the hours are offset by extended rest breaks.

As part of the new National Heavy Vehicle Law, drivers who have completed an accredited "advanced fatigue management" (AFM) course can work up to 15.5 hours a day. That time includes time for loading and unloading at depots.
Drivers with AFM must take one extended break of at least seven hours.

Figures from the NSW Centre for Road Safety show that fatigue is a contributing factor in about 16 per cent of fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles.

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Believe better chances if applying in the mines. Much better pay, too. If inexperienced, could start as toilet cleaner and, tnen, take it from there.

Easier said than done. Hehehe.
Seriously, unless to earn money for some other future endeavours, e.g., start a business, you won't be happy. Many miners did something like that. I.e., work in the mines for a few years to save money. Then, left to start their own businesses, e.g., becoming a truckie.
Say, you apply as a dump truck driver. Learning to drive a dump truck is like learning to drive a car. No big deal. After a few hands-on, you'll get the hang of it. The rest is experience. In fact, easier 'coz, unlike driving a car in the city, there's no traffic when driving a truck in the mine.
But you'll be bored before long. Reason pay is high. It's like passenger jeepney driving in Phil. Only stop for short breaks.  Kailangang tiaga. Otherwise, gonna ask yourself, "Is this all there is to life? Life was certainly much better for me in the world of glitz and glamour". And there you are. Yeah, mate, gotta think it over very carefully and be very honest with yourself.
Different with one like Zulacs. So many transferable skills she's acquired in her line of work. In fact, more interesting for her as she'll gain exposure in mining applications - a very valuable experience.
Or, an 18-year-old yet to embark on a career. Work a couple of years as a dump truck driver. Then, enrol in a mine related degree - a very rewarding profession.
Again, not meant to discourage you. Just throwing in some points. You know yourself better than anyone else knows you.

Quote from: juan on July 09, 2013, 03:17:48 PM

Offering money/scholarships to a young talented Filipino woman to become an engineer in exchange for a night (or nights) with you for whatever absurd plans and crap that you're very desperate of  becoming my wife.
 
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busy sa mga uyab

Sana mag-abroad ka na naman. Para makatulong ka sa bayan natin.
Sa Australia ngayon. Take the initiative of spearheading the way forward for other kababayans back home to follow. Be one of many trailblazing a path for the Filipinos who are destined to become world-class miners in Australia's mining industry.