BHP to support METS business opportunities

Henry said the major skills and technology package would be good for the company and good for the country, as Australia focuses on its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The nearly AUS$800 million package announced comprises three key elements to be deployed over the next 5 years:

• An increase of 2500 apprenticeships and traineeships through the BHP FutureFit Academy, established earlier in 2020, with associated spend of AUS$300 million.
• A further 1000 skills development opportunities across a range of sectors in regional areas. BHP will invest AUS$30 million and work with the Australian government to create advanced apprenticeships and short courses in areas of potential future workforce demand.
• BHP will commit up to AUS$450 million spend in contracts with Australian METS companies and further advancement of this sector. It will work directly and through its major technology providers to source more local products and services, and will invest in technology pilots and emerging businesses.

Henry said: “As Australia looks to rebuild its economy and provide jobs for the future, the mining industry has an important role to play as Australia’s biggest export earner employing hundreds of thousands of people.”

“The mining and METS sector is a critical pillar of our economy, and it has never been more important than now.

“Providing apprenticeships, skills and training opportunities for Australians of all ages and all walks of life, particularly in our regional communities, is a commitment we can make to help Australia bounce back.

“These investments will create a pipeline of future talent in highly skilled roles, working in an industry that delivers essential products to the world and generates export dollars that keep the Australian economy strong.”

BHP employs approximately 45 000 people in Australia, and in the 2020 financial year contributed approximately AUS$33.4 billion in economic value through jobs, suppliers, taxes, royalties and community investments.

BHP accelerated payments and reduced payment terms for small suppliers during the peak of the pandemic, hired an additional 1500 people on temporary contracts to support its Australian operations, created a AUS$6 million fund to support labour hire companies and their employees, and established the AUS$50 million Vital Resources Fund to support regional communities.

BHP FutureFit Academy

BHP will create 2500 new apprenticeship and traineeship positions over the next 5 years through the BHP FutureFit Academy, established in March 2020, with associated spend of AUS$300 million. Places would be split between the academy’s campuses in Mackay in Queensland and Welshpool (Perth) in Western Australia.

Apprenticeships are on offer for heavy diesel fitters and mechanical fitters, with the program also offering a one-year Certificate II maintenance traineeship. Training is delivered in conjunction with CQ University and North Metropolitan TAFE (Perth). To date, more than 450 people have enrolled.

METS sector

The METS sector is an important part of the Australian economy and has a deep indirect multiplier effect over many parts of the nation’s industrial base. It has also been identified as a sector that has significant potential for economic and employment growth subject to the right settings and support.

BHP has identified a package of AUS$450 million that it could bring to bear to support METS sector growth in Australia, including new BHP contracts with Australian suppliers, working with its major technology providers to source more local products or work, and new investments in technology pilots and emerging businesses.

Regional skills development

BHP is in working with the Federal Department of Education Skills and Employment in relation to the Future of Work Partnership programme.

This programme will involve working with the tertiary sector to create opportunities for up to 1000 people over the next 5 years in regional areas to receive skills and training across a range of industries to help support healthy, diverse local economies.

The training is designed to support access to employment and employees small to medium businesses, particularly those outside the mining sector who may have felt the impacts of COVID-19 more greatly.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/finance-business/01102020/bhp-to-support-mets-business-opportunities/