According to the final report from Australian Regional Agriculture and Mining Skills (ARAMS) Project – a two-year joint project between the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) and the Australian Government – more collaboration was needed to combat a national skills shortage in the industries.
 

“We need to ensure regional employees are skilled in relevant areas to meet shifting demands between agriculture and mining.

“Ultimately, that gives regional people the best of both worlds in job and career opportunities before them, all the while strengthening the economic and social sustainability of regional communities.”
 

The report recommended providing potential employees – particularly those under-represented in the rural and regional job market, such as school leavers and Indigenous Australians – with skills-based training that is transportable between the two sectors.

“The point is to make those people ‘job ready’ and give them the ability to swap between the two sectors as opportunities and needs arise,” Fargher noted.

MCA CEO Mitch Hooke added: “Through this project we have developed, and are implementing, an industry-backed needs-driven skills, training and employment strategy for regional Australia.

“It is also a means of ensuring that we maintain sustainable regional communities.”