Some of the metallurgist jobs on offer only require the candidate to work half the year with a two-weeks-on, two-weeks-off roster.

Coal producer Coronado is offering an eight-days-on, six-off roster for a process engineer.

The last time big pays were being offered the industry overheated and rents in regional towns like Moranbah soared to more than $2000 a week. Current rents are nowhere near that level this time.

The NAB said today that four in 10 small to medium enterprises believed labour shortages were having a significant impact on their business.

The big money in the mining sector is going to both TAFE and the university educated, but it’s clear the industry is trying to lure the younger generation, which in the past has steered away from the resources sector because of its boom-bust cycle and its role in climate change.

But many of the future roles in the sector were now expected to be in fields like robotics and the industry is trying to change perceptions.

In a speech to an industry function in Mackay, Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said that in the shift to sustainability the sector would need the attitudes of the younger generation to help drive the transition.

It has started a campaign aimed at high school and early-year university students.

“We can’t wait to welcome Zoomers (Gen Z) onto our sites, so our industry can benefit from their trade and tertiary skills and expertise, their fresh ideas and their passion to make a difference in the world,” Macfarlane said.

The most in demand roles were metallurgists, automation engineers, heavy diesel fitters, auto electricians, geologists, environmental engineers, operations technicians, facility engineers, mechanical engineers and mining engineers.

“We are Queensland’s number one private sector employer of indigenous people, we have a 30 per cent female participation target by 2026 and our employees earn the highest average, full-time income of any industry by far at almost $140,000 per year,” Macfarlane said.

“Right now, companies are working on decarbonisation plans, adopting low-emission technologies, improving their energy efficiency and implementing renewable energy solutions and a host of other positive environment-related initiatives, so there are plenty of opportunities to make a real difference to how our industry impacts the world around us.

“Young people can also be assured resources companies are serious about providing inclusive, diverse and safe workplaces for our employees.”

The State Government has also launched a workforce development plan for the hydrogen industry in an attempt to develop a pool of skilled workers for the emerging sector.