Surging gold prices has created an increased demand for mining engineers and geologists, the latest Hays Quarterly Report found.
The report released today, also found that ongoing infrastructure requirements and expansion plans had created a hotspot of demand within the electrical engineering market, particularly controls and instrumentation.
Hays Resources and Mining regional director Simon Winfield said in the current climate job seekers often have difficulty obtaining a role at their level of experience and tend to gravitate towards roles they consider easier to secure.
“This has seen some candidates applying for positions at a level comparable to their recent position rather than making a career move forward- and in some cases even contemplating a backward step,” Winfield said.
“Employers are just as reluctant to accept an over-qualified candidate as they are an under-qualified candidate. To an employer, a senior candidate in an intermediate role is a risk because they are thought to be using the role as a short term solution until a position at their level becomes available. Their motives and commitment is questionable.”
According to the report, senior candidates applying for intermediate roles can expect a large decrease in their salary due to a lack of candidates competing at the very top of the spectrum.
“Furthermore, stringent selection criteria and increased competition amongst candidates in the lower level positions has led to a drop in salary expectations,” the report said.
According to Winfield however, the increased competition has not filtered through to the maintenance sector.
“Looking ahead we will see a number of opportunities for maintenance supervisors and superintendents because we have seen candidates promoted in that area without the necessary management and strategic planning skills,” he said.
Field technicians are also expected to be in high demand within the next three months as the Northern Territory prepares for its dry season and exploration budgets are confirmed.