According to a survey conducted by online business directory ferret.com.au, almost 73% of workers in the mining, industrial and manufacturing sectors revealed growing concerns for economic pressure, caused by the weaknesses in the manufacturing, construction and retail industries in stark contrast to the prospering mining boom.

Some 1030 Australians were surveyed about major issues in their sector including economic, environment and cost and effectiveness of resources.

Ferret.com.au account manager Dom Weatherhead said concerns about the two-speed economy topped the list when it came to concerns regarding issues in the three sectors.

“It shows that confidence really isn’t all that high at the moment,” he said.

There was a consensus that the mining boom was causing a skills shortage in sectors outside of mining, but respondents were also concerned with the skills shortage facing the mining sector with 50% of those surveyed saying the shortage does exist.

“Just over 51 per cent of those surveyed expressed concern for skills shortages occurring in the sectors like manufacturing and retail due to the mining boom,” Weatherhead said.

In response to the skills shortage, 54% of respondents said more automation in the mining industry was needed.

“Automation is slowly increasing in the mining sector, with many companies implementing automated machinery in remote areas and places they find difficult to employ workers for,” Weatherhead said.

“These results indicate that these workers are worried about the skills shortage and believe automation may be answer.”

This article first appeared in ILN's sister publication MiningNews.net.