The latest Manpower Employment Outlook survey said confidence in the mining and construction sector would remain high for the second quarter of 2012, with the net employment outlook up 3% to 23%.

The survey, released today, also said 34% of employers in the mining and construction sectors planned to increase employee numbers while 54% expected no change.

ManpowerGroup Australia and New Zealand managing director Lincoln Crawley said the mining sector was the driving force behind the sustained growth.

Crawley said it was no surprise skills shortages were the main concern for employers in mining and construction.

“We are seeing the majority of companies in the industry gear up for more growth and the biggest fear is not being able to find the workers needed,” he said.

“Securing specific types of talent is becoming an increasing concern and ultimately it will have a major effect on projects.”

“Employers need to start looking at alternative sourcing strategies, up-skilling less experienced or less specialised workers and looking into international sourcing options.”

The report also said hiring outlook year-on-year was down 5%.

“The slight year-on-year drop in the sector is a result of uncertainty in the global economy, which has caused some high profile projects to be delayed, and also the potential resources and carbon taxes,” Crawley said.

“The sector is in no way slowing down; actually it’s diversifying.”

In the national employment market overall the survey said net employment outlook firmed at 13% for the second quarter.

It also said 24% of employers expected to increase employee numbers while 11% planned to decrease in staff.

Crawley said there were key projects ramping up in liquefied natural gas and coal mining that would drive demand for specific roles.

“Recent innovation in shale gas technologies will also put the industry on the map in the next five years in Australia, putting pressure on drilling labour and draining talent from the LNG and coal seam gas industries,” he said.

“Mining engineers and geologists, particularly with more than five years’ experience are the hardest to find as well as instrumentation and electrical technicians and engineers in oil and gas.

“Looking ahead, developments in the underground coal mining industry will drive demand for workers with technical experience in that field and huge projects are creating hotspots in areas including the northwest shelf, Gladstone, Darwin and the Bass Strait.”