The effects of how Gen Z views the mining industry

Gen Z workers have a different outlook on the mining industry, and these opinions could shape participation levels in training programs going forward unless the industry adapts.

A new report focused on the perceptions and views of Gen Z when it comes to the mining industry. The Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA) research provides insights into future strategies for workforce recruitment, training, and upskilling.

Revealed was the overall knowledge, attitudes, and viewpoints of young Australians (aged 15–24) towards the mining industry, displaying the different perspectives the younger generation has compared to older counterparts.

The report revealed that just under three-quarters (73 per cent) of Gen Z believes that mining does more harm than good throughout the world, compared to the remainder who believe it does more good than harm. However, some acknowledged its importance, with 24 per cent saying it’s extremely important and 42 per cent saying it’s very important in terms of the Australian economy.

A number of young Australians directly associated the mining industry with fossil fuels and its impact on the environment and climate change, which is key reasoning behind 73 per cent believing the industry as a whole offers more harm than good. However, just under two-thirds (61 per cent) of young people still think mining can be sustainable.

Troy Williams, chief executive of the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), explained how important these insights are for the future of the training sector: “The report is a critical tool in helping the mining industry and skills training sector look to promote careers in mining through a different prism.”

“We need to talk about the positive aspects of mining, such as its role in reaching net zero emissions and shift towards sustainable mining practices that provide the products we use as part of a modern-day lifestyle.”

As the younger generation grows into the workforce, more environmentally friendly mindsets will be pushed to the forefront of business models, as it is an important subject to a number of these future workers. If industries and businesses are unwilling to commit to environmentally friendly practices, then they may struggle to attract the next-generation workers.

In this context, policymakers can build off some of the insights that the report provides. For the mining industry and the skills training sector, there is an opportunity to be found in the fact that the report shows just under three-quarters of young people say mining is either extremely important (42 per cent) or very important (30 per cent) to a net zero emissions future.

“The findings in the AUSMASA are clear. Gen Z sees the importance of mining for a sustainable future but is equally concerned about the sector’s environmental impact. It’s a call to action for us to adapt and respond with skills training programs that address these concerns head-on,” Williams said.

For the skills training sector, there are some great insights into future course demand. The report shows that just under a quarter (24 per cent) of young people say they would be interested in undertaking subsidised education and training; however, showing some form of environmental commitment could create a rise in this number.

“Gen Z wants to be at the forefront of transforming mining into a sector that not only thrives economically but also contributes positively to the planet. ITECA members are positioned to deliver them with the skills to do that,” Williams said.