Click here for Collinsville SHS trade workshops photos

A day of testing out trade skills in a school workshop has been capped off with a site tour of Glencore’s Collinsville coal mine for a group of Year 10 students at Collinsville State High School this week.

The two-day trades and mine site experience was delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

Students worked through a series of trade-based challenges under the guidance of experienced tradespeople from Glencore, the workshop sponsors.

Anthony Exelby, Human Resources Manager at Glencore Coal said the site visit was the perfect complement to the practical skills workshop.

“Our team members enjoyed sharing their skills and knowledge with the Year 10 students in the workshop and then showing them the different trade roles on site at our Collinsville open-cut mine,” Mr Exelby said.

“I think this experience will give the students plenty of insight into how important trade roles, like diesel fitters, electricians and mechanics, are for maintaining production, processing and safety on a mine site,” he said.

Also on the roster this week was a ‘Trades and Traineeships’ workshop for a group of Year 9 students delivered by the QMEA and Glencore yesterday.

Katrina-Lee Jones, QRC Policy Director – Skills, Education and Diversity, said Year 9 workshop has been developed to give the students more information about the many trades involved in the resources sector.

“Knowledge is power – and the Year 9 will finish the workshop with a better understanding of the many trade, traineeships and operator positions in demand in the resources sector,” Ms Jones said.

“They will also complete dexterity and aptitude activities modelled on the apprenticeship application process, which is a great way of preparing them for the types of skills they will need if they are keen to follow a trades pathway after school.”

“There is an ongoing shortage of skilled tradespeople across the resources sector, so it is important we create a pipeline of young people into the industry by opening the door to working in our industry.”

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