Students plug into local energy industry

• Click here for Miles SHS STEM Big Day photos
• Click here for Tara SSC Trades workshop photos
• Click here for Chinchilla SHS workshop photos

Hands-on industry experiences are giving Western Downs students a better understanding of the energy sector, with three QMEA Resources Skills Academy workshops in Chinchilla, Tara and Miles over the last week.

Up to 80 Miles State High School students had an exciting day of discovery rotating through gas energy-related activities, exploring industry equipment and engaging in virtual reality experiences today.

The students completed science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) challenges, inspected land-spray and semi-vac trucks from drilling and completions services company Coho Resources, and tested their skills in a driving simulator.

Miles State High School Principal Josette Moffatt said the students, from Years 7 to 9, were fully engaged with the activities and showed a great interest in the Coho equipment and its role in gas extraction.

“Our students sometimes see these vehicles on the road around Miles when they are being used to assist natural gas operations,” Ms Moffatt said.

“Origin, who sponsored the STEM Big Day, arranged for the Coho team to join the students, giving them a unique insight into the types of machinery used in the energy sector, she said.

Coho Resources, who contract services to Origin, provided the trucks, simulator trailer and inspection equipment for the students to explore during the day.

“Driving the truck simulator opened the students’ eyes to the skills required to operate heavy equipment.”

Industry involvement also enriched the QMEA’s Tradies for a Day workshop experience for Chinchilla and Tara Year 9 and 10 students over the week.

The Year 9 and 10 students, from Chinchilla State High School and Tara Shire State College, completed practical trade activities with the support of Origin contractors SRG Global and Intura, who gave the students specialist demonstrations.

The SRG Global team gave a weld inspection demonstration and used virtual technology for the students to check the safety, function and structural integrity of weld joints.

It has been a big week of connection between schools in the region and local companies supporting the energy industry in the Western Downs.