The big mining companies are getting rid of the commodity assets worth billions of dollars recognizing that the mining boom is over. Just a little while ago, the industry realized that the shortage of a large experienced and skilled workforce in the industry, academia, and the government, and initiated programs to address the issue. With this downturn in the industry, will these programs sustain till the next boom, when the gap in demand and supply of skilled workforce would have further increased owing to retirement of current workers?
Companies sponsoring various research projects at Universities will start pulling out their fundings.
Will there be another round of closures of mining and related disciplines currently being taught at only a few Universities?
Lack of funding will repel students to pursue higher education in other disciplines with perceivingly better opportunities.
Will the students continue to pursue education in mining and minerals or shall move over to other lucrative disciplines with better prospects?
Amount of money poured into the Societies and organizations that promote mining and associated acitivities will also get axed.
What will be the role of and action plan by the organizations like the SME, NMA, CMA etc. and will they be able to support their ongoing programs for encouraging students and young professionals to pursue their career in the minng idustry?
Let's discuss the near future of the mining industry and the fate of "Business-Education-Government Partnership" towards filling the workforce gap in the industry.