Direct Jobs

Strategies focused on extractive industries may establish targets for local recruitment in legislation or agreements (with, for example, certain extractive companies), and/or focus on closing the skills gap through training and other targeted capacity-building programs (often in partnership with extractive companies). Apprenticeship programs and support for local technical and vocational training often play an important role; several of the larger mining companies have established their own trade schools, often in cooperation with the local school authorities. One example is the Industrial and Mining Training Center (Centro de Entrenamiento Industrial y Minero), a nonprofit organization whose main mission is to foster excellence in the mining industry. It was founded in Antofagasta, Chile, in 1999 by the Escondida Educational Foundation (of the Escondida Mining Company).^[1] The center has been reinforced through an alliance between Escondida and 20 other companies and is now operated by local educational authorities.

In summary, governments can use a mix of push and pull strategies to foster direct employment in extractives. The IGF Guidance for Governments in the Key Resources (pages 35–51) details policy options for the mining most of which are also valid for the oil and gas sector.

Extractive industries employ relatively few women, but a few (mostly corporate) initiatives aim to create a more balanced and diverse workforce. The Lonmin-IFC Women in Mining Program and Promoting Gender Equality in the Private Sector—Hiring Women in Mining Production Jobs initiatives are described in the Key Resources.