Local students thinking of careers in the resources sector will experience a taste of mining life during two events being conducted today by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy.

About 30 students will try their hand at being tradies, while another 30 will explore professional careers, with help from industry mentors from Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines.

Leanne Ryder, Human Resources Manager for NQ’s Copper Assets, Glencore said Glencore was proud to support the Toolkit for Schoolkids and STEM for schoolkids events.

“The workshops are valuable in demonstrating the wide range of careers available in the resources sector, while helping us attract the next generation of trades people and professionals to our resources sector,” she said.

“Glencore is committed to providing real and meaningful career pathways for students. Our staff enjoy providing an authentic learning environment and interacting with the students while helping them achieve their dreams.”

Head of Senior Campus at Spinifex State College Chris Pocock said the workshops were an excellent opportunity for students to understand exactly what is involved in their potential career paths.

“There is no substitute for face-to-face contact with resources sector employees and the excellent hands-on activities for encouraging students into these career paths,” he said.

The QMEA is a partnership between the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program. It has 46 schools throughout Queensland.

QRC is the peak representative body for Queensland’s resource sector. The Queensland resources sector provides one in every $6 dollars in the Queensland economy, sustains one in eight Queensland jobs, and supports more than 16,400 businesses across the state, all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass.