The strategic move comes after a recent report by the Minerals Council of Australia and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy in Western Australia projected that over 15,000 additional skilled and semi-skilled labourers will be required by 2015.

Damstra is a privately owned company specialising in the provision and training of skilled and semi-skilled labour to mining companies in the coal sector throughout New South Wales and Queensland.

Damstra has approximately 150 field employees and generated revenue of $17 million in 2006.

Skilled Group managing director and CEO Greg Hargrave said the latest acquisition complemented the TESA mining business the company acquired in September.

“TESA’s mining business is performing strongly and we recently opened an additional branch in Gunnedah in New South Wales to capitalise on activity in this region,” Hargrave said.

“Australia is the world’s largest exporter of black coal and over the last decade the production of raw black coal has increased at an annual average rate of 4.7 percent. Damstra provides exposure to a range of new clients in the mining industry and builds on our activity and expertise in this growing sector.

“We look forward to welcoming Damstra’s CEO, Christian Damstra, and his team.”