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Two workshops delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) last week have sparked a careers interest in the curious minds of about 70 students from St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School and Bundamba State Secondary College.

The QMEA, which is the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), wrapped up its engagements for Term 3 at two schools in the southeast corner of Queensland thanks to support from QRC member companies.

QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Ms Katrina-Lee Jones said the workshops highlighted the technology-driven, highly in-demand skills required for the resources industry’s future workforce.

“During the all-female Hunting Minerals, Metals and More workshop at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School last Tuesday, about 20 students embarked on a treasure hunt based on the insightful ‘30 Things’ by the Minerals Council of Australia,” Ms Jones said.

“Mentored by industry representatives, the students looked for clues around the classroom that connected everyday products with the elements from the Periodic Table that go into them.

“This workshop was all about showcasing the critical role the resources and energy sector plays in creating things that make our lives safer, easier, and more enjoyable.”

Last Wednesday, about 50 students from Bundamba State Secondary College put their coding and collaborative skills to the test as they programmed Lego EV3 robots to autonomously drive along a specified route.

“The Resourceful Robots session focussed on highlighting the exciting, high-tech jobs on offer in the resources industry particularly for professionals with a science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) background,” Ms Jones said.

St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School’s Principal, Ms Ros Curtis said at the heart of the school’s ethos is an awareness that education must go beyond the formal curriculum and provide opportunities for students to undertake this most exciting of adventures.

“The Hunting Minerals, Metals and More workshop was an engaging and innovative way for our students to explore how their classroom learning has important, versatile, real-world applications,” Ms Curtis said.

“We are committed to preparing these young women for life beyond school, and we’re proud to be partnering with the QMEA to help our students bolster their professional and life skills.”

As Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and schools 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 vocational and professional careers, with a focus on female and Indigenous participation. The QMEA currently engages with 90 schools and is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.