MTEC KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES REPORT 2013

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 2013, enrolments across the minerals industry core disciplines of Earth Science, Mining Engineering and Metallurgy indicate some clear emerging trends.

Mining Engineering enrolments are dramatically higher across all years of study, which will result in increased graduates in coming years. Earth Science enrolments are higher in the first and second years of study but are plateauing in the third year of study which is the pool from where honours students are drawn. Metallurgy enrolments are up in the second and third years of study, continuing a reversal of trend from a few years ago. It would also appear that the effects of the financial correction in 2008-9 no longer impacts on students considering professional careers in the minerals industry.

MTEC modelling for 2016 forecast levels indicates a plateauing of final year enrolments in Earth Science, a significant decline in Metallurgy and a dramatic increase in Mining Engineering.

Summary of Enrolments (MTEC universities only)

• Earth Science enrolments have increased in the 1st and 2nd years of study with a levelling off for the 3rd and 4th years. Overall there is a greater retention of students progressing into later years of study, with a dramatic increase in the 2nd year noted. Diversity statistics for all years of study show a combined average of 66% being male, 34% female, with 31 Indigenous Australian students across all years of study.
• Metallurgy enrolments have increased significantly in the 2nd and 3rd years of study. An increased number of students have either graduated with a BSc at the end of three years or are completing a double degree (after 5 years). These do not appear in the summary compilation above, but are still skilled to work as metallurgists. Diversity statistics for all years of study show a combined average of 77% being male, 23% female, with no Indigenous Australian students in any year of study.
• Mining Engineering enrolments have returned and exceeded levels pre-financial correction and have increased significantly for 2nd, 3rd and 4th years. This year’s output is well above the long-term average which includes 5th year double degree students. The long-term trend for final year students appears to be growing linearly, a reversal of the previous trend. Diversity statistics for all years of study show a combined average of 87% being male, 13% female, with 1 Indigenous Australian student across all years of study.

Summary of Graduate Destinations (MTEC universities only)

• 37% of graduates from the MTEC Earth Science universities joined the minerals industry in 2012. This is down on last year’s cohort of 53% and a significant reversal of the recent upward trend now similar to 2009 (GFC) levels. 26% of Earth Science graduates went on to further study or research (a common trend) and 30% joined either big or small mining companies.
• 79% of all Metallurgy graduates from 2012 joined the minerals industry, which is up from last year’s 74%. 68% of the overall cohort joined big or small mining companies, 12% joined consultants or contractors and none joined the extractive industry. The data collected from 2012 reflects a return to long-term trends for graduate destinations in Metallurgy.
• At the time the data was collected, 62% of the Mining Engineering graduates surveyed in 2012 had entered the minerals industry, with 47% having joined big or small mining companies and 12% taking roles with contractors or consultants. Anecdotal evidence (supported by Graduate Careers Australia data) shows that almost ALL Mining Engineering graduates were employed six months after graduating. Graduates taking roles with small mining companies were 2%, down from 7% in 2011. This indicates a return to historical average levels of 4% from 2008, and 2% from 2007. The data received from the 2010 graduates for this report includes graduate destination information for the third graduating class from The University of Adelaide.