AIG, in 2008, commenced a series of surveys to monitor the impact of the global economic downturn on geoscientist employment throughout Australia. These surveys provided valuable data that was used by AIG in conjunction with other industry groups to track the impact of the downturn in exploration and mining geoscience employment, and the subsequent recovery of employment as economic conditions improved.
The global economic downturn was followed by a boom in resource industry activity which created robust employment conditions for several years, Recently, however, threats to Australia’s resource industries have emerged in the form of intense uncertainty regarding both the European and U.S. economy, whether China will be able to sustain high levels of economic growth, coordinated action by environmental groups against new resource development projects and, significantly, a growing tide of resource nationalism in which governments are seeking to increase revenue from mining projects or secure future, domestic access to resources, both of which could depress mineral and energy production by removing incentives to develop new mines.
AIG is maintaining a close watch on developments but needs “hard data” that only professional geoscientists can provide to ensure representations to government and other groups are supported by timely, relevant information. Your assistance in completing this survey, when it is run on a regular basis, is critical to this.
The previous survey, in June this year, showed no discernible downturn in actual employment but did detect a loss of confidence in employment security amongst Australian geoscientists. This survey is timed to measure whether this has translated into changed employment circumstances for our profession.
The survey only takes a few minutes to complete and the information provides a vital, well regarded snapshot of employment conditions within the profession and is open to both members and non-members. Click here to complete the survey and please encourage your friends and colleagues to participate.
The survey closing date has been extended until 30th November 2012.
