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Dalby students will be immersed in the world of drones, robots and the mineral exploration that makes them possible today when staff from Arrow Energy mentor them in a My Digital World workshop run by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy, the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC). 

Rachael Cronin, Arrow’s Vice President External Relations and Tenure Management, says it’s the fifth year the company has supported the full-day event at the Bunya Campus of Dalby State High School, which indicates the value of STEM education to high-tech careers that are available in the resources sector. 

“The resources sector is a huge innovator and user of technology, and that use will continue to grow,” she said. 

“We need people to continue pushing that innovation in decades to come, which makes it important for the students of today to have the skills to participate in that future. 

“It’s important for students to know that there are fantastic careers available to them in our sector. These careers can also enable them to live and work in their home communities, which is so important to retaining the vitality of our regions.” 

Dalby State High School Principal Dr Dean Russell said it was an excellent opportunity for students to meet with the Arrow staff and learn first-hand about careers that they might not have thought about before. 

“The career Q&A with four of Arrow staff and our students will provide the perfect opportunity to delve into the range of opportunities available for both professional and trade bound students,” he said. 

“The students will also hone those important skills of communication, networking and teamwork that are so important in the modern workforce.” 

About 70 students from Dalby and Chinchilla state high schools will attend the event, which also includes a teacher professional development session to enable local teachers to be one-step ahead of their students in the technology stakes. 

Director of Skills and Education with the Queensland Resources Council Katrina-Lee Jones says she particularly hopes that young women and Indigenous students will be inspired by the opportunities put before them. 

“We have just released a new five-year plan to increase the diversity of our resources workforce and attracting more women and Indigenous people is part of that so that we can be more reflective of the community in general,” she said. 

“Skills shortages are the number-one concern of our QRC CEOs and we need to cast the net wide to ensure we have the skilled people we need, now and into the future.” 

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