Building Regional Hubs: Collaboration is Key to Queensland’s Economic Growth
Frequently, we talk about different industries and sectors as though they all exists in their own worlds, forgetting the different ways they all influence each other. For example, those working mining apprenticeships in Queensland are also building career opportunities for people in other industries as well.
The Queensland government is focusing heavily on growing regional economies.
These connections are even more important at a time when the Queensland government is focusing heavily on growing regional economies. The more businesses from disparate industries interact with each other, the better they can help to build regional centres that support job opportunities in a range of professions.
Mining companies make local connections in Queensland
Resources set up in areas of rural Queensland exhibit a long-term commitment to these regions. In some cases, assignments keep these large numbers of workers in the regions for decades at a time. With the Australian Bureau of Statistics finding that mining is still a $120 billion industry, it has the potential to have a significant effect on any region where this is ongoing activity.
According to the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), this is exactly what is happening throughout the Sunshine State. The organisation found that nearly 25,000 regional businesses have benefited from their relationships with mining companies that are encouraged to buy local. QRC CEO Michael Roche noted that these partnerships are beneficial to businesses on both sides of the relationship.
“Buying local provides a win-win for resource companies and local communities,” he began.”That means jobs now and on-going jobs, as well as economic sustainability for regional and rural Queensland.”
Rather than leave this as an informal relationship that develops organically, the QRC is holding a forum to try and encourage this behaviour and ensure these engagements are positive.
Mining performance linked with demand for hybrid cars
As car manufacturers seek to create vehicles that are more fuel efficient and tech companies continue to create new devices, many new products will rely on lithium-ion batteries. It’s a trend that could have a positive impact on Australia’s mining industry. According to PwC Australia’s mining leader Chris Dodd, this demand is forcing prices up.
“Lithium is what everybody is quite rightly talking about, with the price effectively doubling in the last 12 months and demand for advanced battery technology skyrocketing,” he explained.”This sector of the industry is most definitely one to watch.”
The discovery reinforces the link Australia’s mining industry has with other sectors around the country and how it continues to grow apprenticeship opportunities.
Conclusion
Despite industry silos, mining apprenticeships in Queensland create opportunities beyond the mining sector itself. The Queensland government prioritizes regional economic growth, and fostering connections between mining and other industries is key. Mining companies in regional Queensland often have a long-term presence, employing a significant workforce. The Queensland Resources Council highlights that nearly 25,000 regional businesses benefit from these mining companies buying local. They advocate for formalizing these partnerships to create a win-win situation for both mining companies and regional communities, fostering long-term economic sustainability.
