06 Apr 2022
Overview
  • We've teamed up with the Australian Minerals and Energy Skills Alliance to show you how to do something a little different than your typical 9-5 job.
  • If you're interested in learning more about working in the energy and resources sector (and going in the running for some sweet prizes) make sure you check out our super-short course Resourcefulness!

 

We get it - working five days a week can be a bit of a slog. You get home, have a few hours to yourself then have to do it all again the next day. Then there’s the weekends - which some people live for, wishing the week away just for a bit of fun on a Saturday.

But what if we told you that there are jobs out there that mean you could spend more with your mates and family, focusing on hobbies and doing whatever you like? We’re not making it up, we promise. There are a huge range of jobs in the resources sector that don’t abide by the 9-5, Monday to Friday schedule.

Jobs such as heavy duty mobile plant mechanics or haul truck operators are usually situated in remote or rural locations. Rather than having workers commute several hours every day, employers will set them up with FIFO (fly-in-fly-out) or DIDO (drive-in-drive-out) roles.

These jobs will then have a roster which involves a block of work every day, followed by several days off. These rosters, called ‘swings’ might follow a schedule such as eight days ‘on’ (at work), six days ‘off’ (back home). If you’re willing to put in some hard work, you can take advantage of the competitive salaries and the extended time away from work to live a pretty exciting lifestyle.

You can keep your home and work life totally separate, and have a lot more flexibility surrounding where you live. You can also combine your annual leave with your rostered time at home to take extended vacations (funded by your great salary of course).

People who have worked something like hospitality can definitely attest to the benefits of having days off in the middle of the traditional workweek. The feelings of being in peak-hour traffic, not being able to get a Saturday appointment, or trying to find a park at the shops on a weekend quickly become a distant memory.

While you’re young, looking for adventure and after some extra money in your pocket, all of the benefits of rosters can really pay off. If you’re curious about the range of careers available in the resources sector, qualifications you’ll need to get started and real-life experiences from professionals, make sure you check out our brand-new Academy Resourcefulness over here.