A moving experience for local students
Most of us take for granted how our major exports get from their source to global customers, but a group of local students will be in the know after touring North Queensland Export Terminal the port at Abbot Point this week as part of a Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) workshop.
Supported by Abbot Point Operations, they’ll take part in the ‘Pit to Port’ program delivered by the QMEA – the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).
“Following the site tour, the students will go back to the classroom and with the help of Abbot Point Operations staff, will learn about workplace health and safety, fleet management and port and
“They will then create their own schedules and plans and give a presentation to the group,” she said.
“The resources sector offers many highly-skilled and highly-paid employment opportunities and currently we have a shortage of many of the skills we require, so there’s a great future ahead for students selecting these career pathways.”
“It’s our pleasure to give local students this opportunity to see Abbot Point Operations in action,” said Abbot Point Operations’ General Manager, Allan Brown.
“Participating in initiatives with our local schools enables us to give back to our community where our 380 plus employees and contractors live and raise their families,” he said.
“Students from Bowen and Collinsville state high schools will hear first hand from our employees about professions in the resources sector, and how to jump onto these career pathways.”
“There’s a great deal involved to move the enormous volumes of coal from the customer’s mines to the port and then on to ships, which involves a variety of skillsets, and we’re looking forward to showing the students how they can get involved.”
Pamela Pritchard, Principal Bowen State High School said the workshop and tour would help put the students’ classroom lessons into a real-world context.
“It’s a very useful learning aid for students when they can see how abstract concepts are applied every day,” she said.
Anna Reeves Principal Collinsville State High School added that the interaction with the Abbot Point Operations staff would also broaden students’ knowledge of careers open to them.
“It’s very helpful for students to understand the subjects they should be taking to access these career pathways and get a taste of what it’s like to work in these careers.”
As Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and skills training initiative, the QMEA seeks to broaden student and teacher knowledge of career opportunities in resources.
The academy encourages a talent pipeline of employees into VET and STEM-related careers, with a focus on female and Indigenous participation. The QMEA currently engages with 80 schools and is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.
Media Contact: Caroline Morrissey 0417 770893 or Carolinem@qrc.org.au