Beakers.Bots.Build: School students get a taste of cutting-edge resources careers
Year 9 students from Central Highlands schools were given a glimpse into exciting new career pathways at workshops with resources sector professionals today.
At ‘Beakers.Bots.Build’, students from Blackwater SHS and Emerald SHS spent the day with industry mentors, immersed in hands-on activities in robotics and programming, chemical processing, and engineering and design.
The workshop, attended by 50 students, was delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), supported by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA).
QMEA’s Manager of Skills and Education, Matthew Heskett said that the workshop was designed to give young people valuable insight into the realities of working in the sector now and into the future.
“Thanks to rapidly advancing technology, there are really rewarding opportunities available to young people entering the resources sector,” he said.
“School students in Blackwater and Emerald are familiar with the mining industry and may have family members already working in it. This workshop showed them exciting new STEM-related careers in coding, programming, chemical processing, and engineering and design.”
BMA Asset President James Palmer said the BMA representatives relished the opportunity to showcase the cutting-edge work they are doing in the resources sector.
“Students are thrilled when they are given a chance to apply what they are learning in STEM at school in a real-world context. Workshops like this one encourage strong teamwork and communication – and have the power to shift their perspectives on what a career in mining and resources looks like,” he said.
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 with the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.