Australia’s mining industry is on track to open thousands of new skilled jobs within the next few years, from mining engineers to diesel fitters, as new projects get underway around the country. Skilled migrants make up 1.24 per cent of the mineral workforce, filling roles the industry relies on most. Australia’s universities and trade sector already train people for these jobs, though not in the numbers the industry needs. Keeping skilled workers in regional areas like the Pilbara matters as much, with projects there needing people on the ground. “A country like Canada has increasingly used targeted draws for their in-demand occupations, which relate to data-driven occupations,” she said.