The shortage of qualified and experienced workers in the mining sector continues to be a major threat to the industry, but prominent recruitment company, John Davidson and Associates have taken a novel approach to their own recruitment needs.

“To say that JDA are innovative in their approach to the employment market is a major understatement”, said managing director John Davidson. “What selection criterion is mandatory when filling a role at JDA? The simple answer is our employees must care about people.”

This approach to recruitment selection and a willingness by John Davidson to think outside the box when choosing personnel is one which he feels other employers should emulate in a candidate short market.

John said, “Members of JDA’s staff come from all walks of life including a wine maker, a fisherman, a hospital receptionist and (most recently) a koala expert”.

JDA’s latest HR consulting cadet is former Australian Koala Foundation General Manager, Bill Fritz. Bill and John share a passion for koala conservation and struck up a friendship during an overnight plane flight from Narita, Tokyo to Brisbane in 2005.

“As Restoration and Tours Manager and later, General Manager for the Australian Koala Foundation, I used to travel to Japan once a year to guest lecture at universities across the country about koala conservation, research and general koala biology”, said Bill. “I happened to sit next to John on an overnight plane flight from Narita, Tokyo to Brisbane and we chatted for hours”.

When one of JDA’s coveted consulting cadetships became available, John was quickly on the phone to Bill, gauging his interest in the opportunity.

The recruitment industry has always been extremely competitive. JDA’s culture of caring for people and proactive recruitment strategies has seen them prevail and prosper in the employment market for more than 18 years.

For further information, please contact: John Davidson, John Davidson and Associates Pty Ltd 07 3120 0900 Released: 11th September 2008