Report highlights looming jobs impact of technology

A Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday (MIW) Future Employment Study has highlighted the impact of new technology on jobs in mining and the METS sector over the next 10 years. Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) commissioned global consulting firm KPMG to complete the study to provide the region’s industries, businesses and workforces with a blueprint to prepare for the impact of digital technology. The study analyses the expected impact of technology in the MIW region to 2030 across four key industry sectors: agriculture, health care and social assistance, tourism, and mining and METS (mining equipment, technology and services). It found the impact would be greatest in mining - the only industry sector studied where a decline in jobs was predicted, even taking into account an expected increase in ICT-related roles. The mining and METS industry accounts for 17.5 per cent of employment in the combined Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region, with most of those jobs based in the coal-rich Isaac council area. An autonomous haul truck. By 2030 the occupations with the greatest decline expected were miner - down by more than 1800 full-time roles - and general fitter - down more than 1700 roles compared to 2020 rates. The report predicts that automation will drive reductions in employment across every mining occupation with the exception of mine deputy, building and engineering technicians, metallurgical and materials technician and maintenance planners. But more than 1500 new full-time roles are expected to be created in ICT jobs to support technologies across the mining and METS sectors in the MIW region. The report notes that while there is concern about the future of the mining workforce as the adoption of automation and robotics grows, METS organisations see opportunities presented in the new technologies. A full copy of the Future Employment Study can be read here . GW3 chief executive officer Kylie Porter said a strategic focus of GW3 was to prepare MIW workforces for the digital age. “The study tells us that all our industries will go through labour market changes with digital skills critical for all jobs in the future," she said. “In 2030 most, if not all jobs in this region will require a combination of people and technology.” A key recommendation of the study was to focus on development of digital skills, ICT skills and aligning training to future skill needs. GW3 chief executive officer Kylie Porter. “As a region, we must focus on developing and enhancing foundational digital skills for all roles because most occupations in the future will use a combination of people and technology, known as augmented roles," she said. “Importantly, all sectors require people with ICT skills such as software developers; software engineers and data analysts. So whilst health is very different from agriculture for example, the roles of the future are shared.” Ms Porter also said that while the report stated that some jobs would be lost across the region, it also highlighted that in 2030 there was the potential for jobs growth in the agriculture, METS and health care and social assistance sectors.

Report highlights looming jobs impact of technology

Industry Queensland

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