Resources Minister Madeleine King says Minecraft could play role in future-proofing industry

Resource companies need to get better at turning Minecraft players into miners, says Madeleine King.

The Resources Minister has warned the industry it needs to rehabilitate its image among young people if it is to overcome skills shortages and recruit the future workforce it needs.

The Resources Minister - a self-confessed fan of computer game Minecraft, the most popular video game ever - will use a speech to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA on Wednesday to warn skills shortages are likely to become even worse, with dwindling enrolments in relevant degrees.

A range of mining-related occupations including metal fitters and machinists, civil engineers and mining engineers are in the top 20 most in-demand jobs on the latest National Skills Commission priority list. There is now a need for more miners and drillers when a year ago they weren’t classified as being in short supply.

Ms King says a big barrier is the attitude many young Australians hold towards the resources industry.

“It is up to the industry to turn the poor perceptions around. It has the capacity to do so. Poor perceptions can be replaced by positive ones,” she said.

“So how do we get that young person on TikTok to make the link between their new iPhone and the resources industry?”

She says industry must think creatively about connecting with young people, suggesting a national gaming competition.

“I confess I have dabbled in Minecraft myself. And anyone who plays Minecraft knows that before building your palace you first need to find some iron ore, build a furnace, then find some coal to smelt your iron ore to turn it into steel,” Ms King says.

“Surely we can turn the Minecraft-crazed kids of today into the skilled staff the resources industry needs for tomorrow”

Mojang Studios’ sandbox game Minecraft has become the best-selling video game in history after properly releasing in 2011.

More than 238 million copies have been sold and it was reported the game, as late as July, has more than 141 million active players.

The game offers multiple modes, with hardcore players and creators using it to produce epic worlds most will at least be familiar with.

Check out the YouTube video below for some of the ridiculously huge builds undertaken by gamers:

Meanwhile the minister has urged the sector to repeatedly emphasise its importance to the Australian economy and its role in achieving net zero – along with making its workplaces more attractive to women.

“I invite everyone here to consider ways in which we can get the message across. We may be aware of the realities, but others are not. We need to change negative perceptions,” Ms King said.

“We need to be able to convince more young people and more women that attractive careers can be found in the sector. Workplaces need to be made safer and more welcoming.

“One obvious way we can bring in the needed skills is to increase the intake of capable women.”

Just one in five workers in mining are women, compared with half of the workforce nationally, and only one in 15 are CEOs.

The sector has been tarred with a reputation for sexual harassment and discrimination that has hampered recruitment efforts.

However, mining giant BHP has this month advertised female-only positions in a bid to reach gender parity among its workforce, and has been overwhelmed with the response.