Skills crisis could kill Aus resource projects

A skills shortage could suffocate new resource projects across Australia, the Australian Mines and Metals Association has warned.

Association director Minna Knight said all levels of government must dramatically ramp up training and other workforce initiatives to address the worsening skills crisis.

Research by workforce specialists Pitcrew Consultants shows demand for resource construction jobs alone will hit 40,000 workers in the second half of this year, and 60,000 by 2013.

Ms Knight said resource projects worth A$236 billion were currently underway across Australia, with a further A$191 billion awaiting final approval.

She warned some projects would not reach fruition unless the labour crisis was addressed.

"Government policymakers can no longer take the economic gains arising from Australia's resources projects for granted," she told the Queensland government's mining and gas jobs expo on the Gold Coast.

"Without immediate intervention, some of these projects will simply run out of workers."

Image: Getty