Digital Era Role Shifts
We see a few key skill sets emerging:
Quantitative Skills: A major trend across all mining roles is a shift toward quantitative and evidence-based work. An aptitude for working with numbers and data has become increasingly essential as the machines we work with become smarter, outputting information that needs to be contextualized. In addition to the quantitative shift, technology literacy is equally as important. Desktop software, process automation, virtual reality and tech-assisted programs are helping organizations do work faster. Workers need to be ready to work with these tools to get the job done.
Collaboration Capabilities: Cooperation across the organization has never been more important than in this digital era. Mobile, virtual and remote work is offering safe, balanced and cost-effective options for many roles. Teams are becoming global entities that communicate and collaborate cross-functionally, making it increasingly important to provide visibility for all parties.
Socially-focused: License to operate continues to be a focus for mining companies, and modern day communities, consumers and stakeholders want more. The industry has the opportunity to advance initiatives like sustainability and community inclusion to negate legacy views of mining. Leaders and job designers benefit from positioning each role as part of a broader and better mission, as well as working to address the interests of broader groups of stakeholders.
