Energy operators have a workplace problem — and it has nothing to do with award rates, industrial spats or the recent minimum wage increase.
From the comfort of their office, a Melbourne or Sydney-based project delivery director in the renewable energy sector can expect to pocket up to $357,000.At the junior end, WA-based graduate engineers should feel hard done by on anything less than $90,000. “This is unheard of for the energy sector where staff turnover is historically in the single digits and often well under 5 per cent,” says AREEA chief executive Steve Knott.
But the sector easily could employ more: for instance, the energy-oriented engineering consultancy Worley Parsons says it has the “ability” to hire 3000 more people per month.— and things haven’t returned to normal.Advertisement Fresh from merging with BHP’s petroleum business, sector giant Woodside offers “a range of incentives to attract and retain the people we need”, including flexible working arrangements.Woodside recently increased its parental leave benefits for primary carers from 16 to 18 weeks, with both spouses eligible if they work for the company.
Then there’s the emerging demand from the burgeoning renewables sector, which is attracting younger workers who don’t see a long-term future for carbon energy. Green says energy employers have needed to think laterally about the sort of worker that could fill a position, with any skills gaps rectified with extra on-the-job training.
“New energy is a term we use to describe lower-carbon products, such as hydrogen and ammonia,” a company spokesman says.
So money is not the answer! I wonder if the unions know this!?!? but I'm sure thay will put Caveats on everything.. I mean why don't we just employ more teachers, nurses doctors rather than giving them a pay rise That would be better wouldn't it justthinkingoutloud