"If you do ever get the chance to go underground and experience it, you should," 23-year-old drillers' offsider Jye Foggitt says.

He is currently plumbing the depths of Fosterville's gold mine, where he says people willing to work hard can be part of a supportive team environment.

"The best bit for me is getting home and going to sleep knowing you've worked hard. I like that satisfaction," he said.

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Industry insiders hope school leavers will want to follow in Mr Foggitt's footsteps as the region's exploration boom gathers pace.

The boom has pushed up the number of resources jobs in the region by 30 per cent in recent years, the Minerals Council of Australia's James Sorahan said.

"Some Victorian mines are struggling to get skilled workers on board. Some have actually been offering jobs and then waiting months to get applicants," he said.

"There's a lack of awareness in the region about the number of jobs in mining and opportunities available."

Many businesses need specialist mechanics, drilling offsiders and apprentices, Mr Sorahan said.

Mr Sorahan was part of a roundtable in Bendigo on Wednesday geared towards identifying the gaps and finding opportunities.

"We want young people to work in our industry and we know they want experience," he said.

Right now, Mr Foggitt is a driller's offsider with Deepcore Drilling, a contracting company preparing to seek apprentices very soon.

He helps shift and sort the rock that drill rigs haul up in the search for hidden gold.

"Ideally, we are there slowly learning our way through the drilling side of things and have this common goal of one day becoming a trainee driller," he said.

Plenty of jobs are also going on the surface as companies search virgin ground for minerals.

More are likely to come online in coming years as licences for land near Bendigo are given to exploration companies, Mr Sorahan said.

"That will include roles like drilling offsiders, geologists, field assistants, community relationship managers and occupational health and safety," he said.

"So really good, high paying jobs for people in regional areas."

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