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The world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) will come to life at Clermont State High School today (12 May) when 25 bright, young students take part in the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy’s ‘STEM Unearthed’ workshop, supported by Glencore Coal.

The QMEA is the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and is Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and skills training initiative.

QRC Skills, Education and Diversity Policy Director Katrina-Lee Jones said the purpose of the workshop is to broaden student and teacher knowledge of the incredible range of VET and STEM career opportunities in the resources sector.

“It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Queensland resources sector, particularly because of the role minerals will play in lowering world carbon emissions through renewable energy technologies and all the new job opportunities that will come from that,” she said.

“Queensland has an abundance of renewable energy resources, and with the right decisions now we can become a global energy superpower, but we need a skilled workforce in place to make this a reality.”

The QMEA will also launch a new promotional campaign called ‘Shape your future, Innovate our world’ later this month to promote the benefits of mining engineering as a career in response to a chronic shortage of engineering professionals across the resources sector.

“Through this campaign, we are inviting young people to consider a career in mining engineering which is all about problem-solving with a team, meeting challenges with solutions and working in a field that is at the very forefront of innovation in our sector,” she said.

“Queensland is an important part of our Australian and global business, with about half of our Australian workforce employed across a range of mining operations throughout the State,” Glencore Coal’s Human Resources Manager, Anthony Exelby said today.

“We are proud to collaborate with the QMEA to deliver these practical and hand-on activities to local students to encourage a talent pipeline of employees into STEM-related careers, with a focus on female and Indigenous participation,” he said.

Media contact: Ellie Blumel – 0448122948 or ellieb@qrc.org.au