Pilbara Jobs - Pilbara Country

Pilbara Jobs

Pilbara is home to over 60,000 people and has been a powerhouse of economic growth for Western Australia and the country. As the region has grown, commercial and industrial businesses have provided new employment opportunities. These Pilbara jobs have attracted new residents and helped cultivate growing communities, drawing in more people from all over the nation and the world.

Mining, Gas & Oil

Pilbara mining and exports continue to dominate its economy. The region remains Western Australia’s mining powerhouse and contributes significantly to the national wealth. As an area rich in natural resources, you’ll find that there’s no shortage of Pilbara mining jobs. Once you work with Rio/BHP/Woodside, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits, including subsidised housing. It brings it's own unique lifestyle too. It is not unusual to start a temp job with them and find yourself still there 20 years later.

Construction

A job in the construction industry promises a significant income. The downside is that you can be weeks away from your family and have long working days. You’ll also be exposed to a scorching environment and often find yourself staying in camps in remote areas. But this life builds its own camaraderie. You create friendships that last. You do not have to worry about rent, food, or cleaning. Just get in and get your job done.

Private Business

Many Pilbara businesses support the mining giants, from catering staff and mechanical services to training providers and support staff such as taverns and pubs, medical staff for inductions, and bus drivers. These Pilbara employment opportunities often provide the first step to working for the more prominent companies. So, think of your current skill set and consider which industry you can enter and work your way across.

Geographically, the Pilbara Region in Western Australia is a unique place.

Not only is it renowned for its historical and cultural diversity, beautiful scenery, beaches and fishing, but it’s also regarded as the heartland of the Resource Industry. Pilbara minerals and natural industry supplies include Ore, Liquified Natural Gas, Gold, Salt, Manganese, Tin, Nickel, Copper, Alumina, Lead, Cobalt, Zinc, and more.

With the development of the West Australian Industry, businesses must step up to service and supply the needs of both the local communities in the area and resource sectors.

With the booming Pilbara resources, creating employment opportunities has now become an Australian and worldwide necessity. Fortunately, the Resource Industry and the business sector are very diverse. There are existing and future opportunities for business in the region, and you can participate in supporting its mining industry. It means there are various Pilbara jobs you can delve into that could help you succeed while delivering services to its expanding population.

If you are new to the Construction Game and want to understand the basics to get a job in FIFO, we explain:

The Resource Industry as well as the business sector - owner operator, is very diverse and using the examples above you will note companies specialising in or producing a particular product. There are therefore a number of different divisions in the industry that need to be explored.

First, Get to know what they are and than decide what Pilbara industry or business best suits you, for example Construction or Production. Don't Forget offshore with Oil Rigs.

Difference Between a Contractor or Client in a Construction company;

The difference being a contractor who subcontracts, fixed term contract, works for someone else.

The client is the overarching control of the facility who sells the goods to make money. Companies such as Woodside, BHP, Rio Tinto, FMG, Sino Pacific etc.

Different Job Positions and what they mean.

Construction

Construction in the Pilbara includes a range of minor and major projects for various industries, including Commercial, Marine, Civil, Industrial, and Residential. Since the region continues to grow, you’ll find jobs related to planning, creating, and maintaining buildings and structures.

Civils:

Civils in Construction breaks ground and prepares the area. This may include a number of things. Site preparation for concrete footings, concrete pads, plinths, ground works for general road infrastructure, buildings and underground services.

Mechanical:

Installation of steel work or modules

Pipes into racks, installation of flooring, machinery. Electrical wiring.

Commissioning:

It includes mainly a commissioning crew of specialised personnel, electricians, instrumentation technicians and mechanical engineers. They oversee machinery and electrical components and instrumentations, parts of the plant, workings, motors, product systems, gas trains, crushers, etc.

Shutdowns:

This is a set time frame for a production facility service, refurbishment and scheduled maintenance. Only casual employment but can lead to more permanent fields of work.

Mining:

Since the region is rich in natural resources and minerals, you’ll find several Pilbara mine sites that hire workers. Its major economic activities include the extraction of salt, gas, and oil, and mining of base materials and ore.

Production:

Gas plant, refineries or gold smelters turning raw material into something tangible to be sold.

Trades:

Trade certification and qualifications.

Some skill sets can cover a variety of employment opportunities.

However verification of competency may be required before arriving on site e.g. Crane drivers Riggers, EWP's, welders.

So you want to get a job 'in the mines' do you?

Perhaps, you’re looking for a glamorous fly in fly out lifestyle and travel away from home to make the big bucks. Unfortunate, it isn't that easy as you and 35,000 others are all thinking the same thing.

The key is identifying what makes you stand out from the crowd so they would want to hire you and not Big Bob next door. The good news is, there’s a lot to make you different, and they are easy steps. They won't cost a lot of money but can streamline your fast-track process.

Don't just search the net, find a company, and submit a resume. A new project in the North West employing 300 people will likely receive 2000 job applications once advertised. Those in the know already have been handpicked as they have the experience and the reputation. Only the fill-in jobs that the companies search the many resumes they receive.

Therefore, don't be vague. Aim at your job specification and narrow the odds. There are thousands of Trade Assistants (TAs) out there, but as you go through the trades, there are fewer qualified people, so the more tickets you get, the better the chances they will pick you.

Tickets, Tickets and then get your tickets.

Don't just search the net, find a company and submit a resume. !!!

Working in the city and your resume states 'works hard, will do anything'. Forget it!

Companies receive 50 a day like this and they end up in the trash can on someone's desktop. Not worth printing to throw in the bin.

A new project in the North West employing 300 people will likely receive 2000 job applications once advertised. Those in the know already have been hand picked as they have the experience and the reputation. It is only the fill in jobs that the companies search the many resumes they receive.

Go and get your tickets.. (did I already say that?)

Construction - first is white card/blue card/construction card/HAT card. All means the same thing. The White Card is recognised nationally. This is a prelude to specific site inductions.

Don't be vague, Aim at your job specification. Narrow the odds

There are thousands of Trade Assistants (TAs) out there but as you go through the trades, there are fewer qualified people so the more tickets you get the better the chances that they will pick you.

Below are listed qualifications while some are not necessary, If you get them will be the most beneficial. Remember come tax time, they are all tax deductible.

Qualifications to get you noticed:

Police Clearance
Full medical - drug free
National Construction White Card
Driver’s license - hard work if you don’t have one of these.
Bus/Truck license - handy to drive the guys from camp to site and extra $$ if you do.
MSIC - Maritime Security ID card. Absolutely necessary if you are working on a jetty or sites on the coast with any form of shipping. ASIC is the equivalent for Airservices/airport.
Marcsta card - Mining and Resources Contractors Safety Training Association. This was around a few years ago but no longer required and site inductions have replaced it.
Any First Aid Training is of benefit
OHS - Certificate IV is well worth the extra effort.
Any of the levels of Rigging, Dogman, Crane operations, Forklift
Operators such as Dump Truck, Dozer, Scrapers, etc.
Confined space, Working at Heights, Rigging, Scaffolding, EWP, Forklift etc.

Exports, construction, and Pilbara mining are the major contributors in the region’s economy. Its liquified natural gas and iron ore industries are valued at more than 70 billion dollars, representing over seventy per cent of the state’s mineral and energy production. Plus, its tourism is growing, thanks to its natural features, providing more opportunities for employment and recreation in the region.

The old days had camps in the middle of nowhere, working 6 weeks on and 1 week off. Lucky if your room had air conditioning, let alone a fridge that worked for the cold beer.

These days it is more like a resort than a mining camp.

Rooms are fully self contained with furniture, TV, bed linen, sometimes with a laundry but usually the laundry is share. There is usually a pool and a gym complete with Lifestyle Coordinator, well set up Mess (dining hall) with usually 5 choices on offer. People still complain about the food but would never eat this well at home.

A tavern of some description with a mini shop for the forgotten toothbrush, perhaps an internet room or possibly a data wireless service for you to hook into.

Not roughing it anymore. So with all your basic needs take care of, you are able to work the 10-12 hours a day expected of you. Usually a bus service will take you to and from work, crib rooms at site.

Unless you are a great pub person, limit yourself to a couple of beers a night and cut loose on your day off. Getting plastered and blowing a shift doesn't help anyone.