Training push diluted by graduates opting out of mining

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  Aerospace giant Airbus will collaborate with South Africa's National Aerospace Centre of Excellence (NACoE), Stellenbosch University and the State-owned mineral and metallurgical research and development (R&D) specialist Mintek has appointed Abe Mngomezulu, a deputy director-general...Mine-linked tourism potential should not be overlookedBlack graduates struggle to find employment, despite skills shortage'Increased R&D funding needed to tackle construction skills squeeze'Mine geology research at the University of the Witwatersrand is currently focused on a number of topics that are pertinent to the changing needs of the mining industry. The School of Geosciences and Mining Geology's Professor Kim Hein says one such issue is developing excellence and custodianship in students, who will be the leaders of the future resources of Africa. Greater attention is also being paid to focus training of mine geologists. Currently, minerals commodities, demand are outstripping supply, forcing a rise in all commodity prices. This has led to the development of new frontiers in mining and an upsurge in exploration in Africa and other parts of the world.Hein says, "Universities are being asked by industry to train faster, better and more," as thousands of skilled workers are required around the world in the mining sector.An even greater challenge, she says, is that many students are opting for careers outside the mining sector, which is not considered to be 'attractive' despite the pull of high salaries and benefits. For many graduates, the mining sector is perceived to lack equity and inclusiveness.Hein says that the graduate's career path in mining geology can be daunting, since it links exploration geology (the finding of new resources) and economic geology (the study of mineral occurrences), with mine engineering.Also important is resource modelling, geostatistics, geohydrology, geophysics, environmental geology, and several other disciplines."A good mine geologist is also an explorationist, knows something of mining law, mining finance, resource evaluation, business development, management, people, the workforce, cultural diversity, the environment, information technology, and the international mining community."Mining geoscientists are specialists at being generalists. For the graduate of Wits, a career in mining geology leads to a number of opportunities and career paths, but a career path in the mining sector needs serious career planning from the undergraduate level. The question remains how to inspire graduates towards a career path in the mining industry."Hein acknowledges that the mining sector has seriously invested in education through bursary systems and scholarships and fellowships. But she notes that the universities are training to near-maximum capacity, with the current boom in the mining industry having translated into numerous research projects.The retention rates of graduates who enter the mining sector are low, as they are leaving for careers elsewhere, in some cases only months after being employed, she says, adding that the indications are that none of the stakeholders are able to respond to the current demand and, critically, have failed to recognize that the post-apartheid student body is rapidly changing."The students who visit my office and those of my colleagues demand intellectual freedom, discourse, encouragement towards excellence, and action that all individuals are capable and able. Serious mentoring in life skills, assistance in designing careers at the secondary school, and undergraduate level, and the opportunity to think outside the box is needed as they are searching for inspiration and enthusiasm," says Hein.She points out that there is an urgent need for flexibility, change thinking and the introduction of a teaching portfolio that makes sense to the modern mining industry."Teaching mining language and the simple truth that 'mining is a business and must return a profit to achieve sustainability' is critical. The students need help in addressing problems that present limitations to academic performance or continuing education. The apprenticeship of postgraduates has proved to be key, as has proactive mentoring, facilitation and role modelling."Hein and her postgraduates students call this concept of change Tshanduko, which means 'making a difference' or 'making a change' in the Venda language."Investment in student education through the provision of meaningful and empowering projects will encourage professionalism and demand research excellence and a balance between basics and technological advancement."