Click here for port site tour and school workshop photos

A group of Bowen State High School students have had unique insight into the world of coal production, processing and transportation in a two-day immersion experience, including a site tour of the North Queensland Export Terminal (NQXT).

The site tour and school workshop were delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) in partnership with Abbot Point Operations.

The Year 7 science students spent the first day in high-vis and hard hats touring Abbot Point Operations’ North Queensland Export Terminal giving them a new perspective of the transport logistics involved in the export supply chain.

Abbot Point Operations General Manager Damien Dederer said the QMEA program reinforced APO’s commitment to local employment and skills development.

“The students worked alongside APO mentors to tackle some of the day-to-day challenges that our team deals with at the Terminal,” Mr Dederer said.

“We put their teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to the test as they considered everything from train scheduling to ship loading and harbour planning, and how to deliver these activities with great care for the surrounding environment.

“The work we do requires a variety of skills and the QMEA program is a great way for the next generation to understand the resources sector and the different career opportunities and pathways that exist within our business right here in their local community.”

Katrina-Lee Jones, QRC Policy Director for Skills, Education and Diversity, said the two-day program was a unique educational experience for the students.

“Members of the port operations team came to the school on the second day helping the students to work on tasks similar to those involved in the port operations including assessing load capacities, planning ship scheduling, and safety procedures,” Ms Jones said.

“Teaming up with people who work in the port logistics has given the students a new perspective of the challenges, technology, and coordination involved in getting coal from the pit to the port and then out across the world.”

“This two-day adventure has given the students a deeper understanding of the resources industry and the variety technical, operational and professional roles involved in coal production.”