Click here for photos, videos and student interviews from the Oresome Trades camp.

Nine students from five Mackay schools have swapped the classroom for the workshop at a three-day trades camp sponsored by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA).

Delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), the Oresome Trades camp gave students from Pioneer State High School, Mackay North State High School, Mackay Northern Beaches State High School, Mackay Christian College and St Patrick’s College a hands-on taste of trade careers in the resources sector.

Experienced BMA tradespeople joined the students throughout the camp as mentors, sharing practical skills and their career stories.

“Skilled tradespeople play such an important role across BMA’s operations, so it’s great to see our people sharing their knowledge and experience with local students”, said Lydia Gentle, Head of Engineering at BMA.

“Programs like this give young people the chance to experience trade skills firsthand, ask questions of people working in the industry and explore career opportunities available here in the Mackay and Isaac region,” said Ms Gentle.

During the camp the students worked in teams to design and build a model mining vehicle, equipped with electrical and mechanical functions.

Kooper Tomlinson, from St Patrick’s College, said it was great to work with the BMA industry representatives.

“We get to learn from their experiences and they can explain to us how real workshops operate out on site,” said Kooper.

The 3-day camp follows on from a Tradie for a Day workshop on Monday for Year 10 students at Mackay Northern Beaches State High School

QMEA Director, Jen Hoyle said both the workshop and trade camp were popular with Mackay students interested in pursuing trade apprenticeships after school.

“Mining is a major part of the economy in the Mackay region, with over 21,000 people employed by the industry,” said Ms Hoyle.

“The message to young people in the region is that they can carve out a future in the industry and continue to live in the region they call home,” she said.

“Queensland’s resources sector needs to secure the next generation of diesels fitters, mechanics, electricians, boilermakers and more tradespeople to ensure its future and the trade camp and workshop give students greater confidence to pursue their apprenticeship dreams.’

For more information about careers in the resources sector visit: shapeourfuture.com.au