A number of mining projects in Queensland have launched a major online survey to determine the level of interest from trainees, semi-skilled, female and Indigenous participants, together with those already working in the industry for FIFO opportunities from Brisbane.

The Resource Channel, an employment information website for the Australian resource sector, is conducting the survey on behalf of several Queensland resource projects at different stages of approvals.

It's aimed at providing major mining projects with job market feedback ahead of time, so they can better plan to meet workforce expectations and challenges. The projects are also unique in that they are mainly targeting entry level candidates, including a high number of women.

Jody Elliott, Director of The Resource Channel, believes the survey is a significant improvement in recruitment and job market engagement.

"The Government’s National Resource Sector Employment Taskforce report was released last week estimating 61,500 new operational jobs will be created in the mining sector by 2015. This survey actively supports the need identified by the taskforce for greater transparency around entry level opportunities," Ms Elliott said.

Ms Elliott also encourages women to participate in the survey and to seek employment in the resources industry, helping to create diversity among traditional recruits.

"Currently, women make up only 13% of the resources industry workforce and they represent just over 3% of all employees at mine sites. There is definitely room to improve on these statistics," she says.

"We receive hundreds of emails weekly from frustrated job seekers who read about the thousands of jobs being generated by the industry, but cannot find where these jobs are and how to obtain one. Essentially, the survey enables those seeking to enter the industry, or already working in it, the opportunity to tell the industry who they are, together with the type of employment, rosters and work conditions they are looking for."

Ms Elliott says survey respondents will also have the option of submitting their contact details. If and when projects are approved, survey respondents will be advised and invited to release their details for subsequent consideration for job opportunities.

"The projects concerned are quite serious about converting those who complete the survey to candidates," she says.

To complete the survey, click here. (The deadline is 26 August 2010.)