According to a recent survey we conducted, Mount Isa is more than a career destination for the mining industry, it is a lifestyle destination.
The survey which canvassed the opinion of 100 business leaders within mining and related mining support industries found that the greatest thing about living and working in Mount Isa was the outdoor, adventure lifestyle coupled with the friendly nature of the locals.
The responses we got from the survey participants when asked to state the greatest thing about Mount Isa could be likened to that of a BCF TV advertisement.
Everyone talked of the wide open spaces, boating, camping, fishing and four wheel driving.
It is not only the long-time locals who praise Mount Isa as a lifestyle destination; the survey also confirmed that of the people who have permanently relocated to Mount Isa for work, only a small number of people left again within the first 12 months of being here.
The outdoor, adventure lifestyle and friendly people might not have been the main reason why people moved to Mount Isa but it certainly seems to be one of the main reasons why people stay.
The survey results also found that 77% of respondents said that they recruit people from the local area to fill job vacancies. It was clear that there is a genuine preference amongst employers in the mining industry in Mount Isa to recruit a local workforce.
The local community is always the first point of call when it comes to filling local roles.Mount Isa is a close knit community and people try to support one another wherever we can.
It was also evident through the survey that just over 50% of respondents recruited people from other parts of Australia to relocate to Mount Isa permanently. This strategy still has ‘local’ stamped to it as it brings fresh skills to the town and still has a strong focus on building the community.
Nearly 30% of these respondents said that this method of recruitment made up a large proportion (60 -100%) of their workforce.
AWX in Mount Isa is working to support local businesses and industry with their employment needs as well as providing flexible staffing arrangements to bring new skills in to the area to continue to grow the community.
As a dynamic solution provider of short and long term staffing requirements and mining support services; we conducted this survey to further our understanding of the local market and Central Queensland mining operations, as well as uncover the challenges currently faced by local businesses when it comes to staffing and recruitment.
Carly Herreygers
AWX Mount Isa