Plan in place to keep geologists working

Mineralogy is a tough business.

This message was one of the points made by minerals professionals group AusIMM president Geoff Sharrock during a visit to Kalgoorlie yesterday.

Having worked as a geologist, Mr Sharrock said working in the industry meant frequent changing of employers.

"The reality is I lost my job many times," he said.

"The profession was not for the faint hearted.

"When there are downturns geologists are generally the first to go."

Figures from AusIMM appeared to support his sentiment, with 10 per cent of the organisation's 13,500 members unemployed in 2013 compared to just below 2 per cent the year prior.

WA, alongside Queensland and the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, was an area Mr Sharrock said had been hit particularly hard.

He said AusIMM was taking steps to help members who were out of work

"We are not just a fair weather friend, we will continue to help," Mr Sharrock.

"We have to help our people during this downturn."

Unemployed members received 50 per cent off membership fees and could attend a number of AusIMM conferences for free.

Mr Sharrock said this would enable members to keep up their contacts which could subsequently lead to employment.

AusIMM was also planning to meet both State and Federal politicians to discuss how government could support out-of-work geologists.

One idea Mr Sharrock touted was the potential for the Federal Government organisation Geoscience Australia to hire more geologists.

Another issue which needed to be addressed was geologists coming into Australia on 457 temporary work visas.

AusIMM was also seeking to forge further partnerships overseas in an attempt to facilitate employment for Australian geologists.

Mr Sharrock said the importance of the role geologists played needed further recognition.

"Sometimes we should say more about what we do and how we improve the economy of this country," he said.