Most mining jobs are open to high school graduates. But several of them do require additional training which is provided by employers or community colleges who offer short intensive courses in using mining equipment. Skilled workers in the mining industry need several years of vocational training and certification, which results in higher pay. The earnings in this sector are much higher than most other entry-level jobs for high school graduates.
The nature of the mining jobs means that workers have to stay on site and work long hours. There are hardly any part-time mining jobs but overtime is common in the industry. The BLS states that the average work week for a production worker in the mining sector was 45.3 hours.
There were around 700,000 people working in the mining sector in 2008, out of which 80,000 were in the coal mining sector. The hourly rate was $23, which was significantly higher than most service sector jobs done by high school graduates.
The Appalachian region is not the only place where Americans are finding mining jobs. Australia's mining boom has resulted in a steady stream of Americans moving there for work. Australia, specifically, the state of Western Australia has seen a mining boom driven by Chinese demand for iron ore and energy. Perth, Western Australia's capital and biggest city is now a full fledged boomtown with law firms and banks expanding operations there and high-level fashion houses setting up shop.
There are about 7,000 Americans who are working in Australia on long term visas and Americans are now the third biggest group applying for long term work visas after British and Indian citizens. Australian recruiters are now placing ads in American papers to find qualified candidates for both the mining and support industries.
