Collinsville students dig deep into resources
Click here for photos of the Trademakers workshop and Collinsville mine site visit
It has been no ordinary start to the week for a group of Year 10 students from Collinsville State High School with the opportunity to immerse themselves in a trades workshop followed by a tour of Glencore Coal’s Collinsville mine.
The two-day Trademakers workshop, delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) and sponsored by Glencore Coal, started at the school with students rotating through different trade-based activities under the guidance of experienced tradespeople from Collinsville Open Cut mine.
Anna Reeves, School principal said the visit to a mining operation site after completing the hands-on workshop gave the students some real insight into how different trade activities are used on the ground.
“The site tour of Glencore’s Collinsville mine gave the students a new appreciation for the enormity of equipment and advanced nature of the mining processes within our community. It also provided them with a deeper insight into the critical functions and expertise of the production and maintenance teams,” Mrs Reeves said.
Anthony Exelby – Human Resources Manager from Glencore Coal said it was not just the students who benefited from the experience.
“This was a great chance for our team to share their trade career stories with the students and to encourage them to consider a future in the resources sector,” Anthony said.
“Glencore has a comprehensive apprenticeship program that allows apprentices to earn while they learn, and the workshop was a fantastic opportunity to highlight the career pathways available to the students.”
Katrina-Lee Jones,Director for Skills, Education and Diversity at the QMEA said the two-day program at Collinsville was unique.
“Endorsing a trade workshop with a full day visit to an operational mine site, is a special experience for these students,” said Ms Jones.
“We know there is a shortage of skilled tradespeople across the resources sector, so it is vital we support the pipeline of young people coming into the industry by building on their trade skills in school and opening the door to working in our sector.”
Students, parents and teachers interested in knowing more about a career in the resources sector can visit shapeyourfuture.com.au for more information and career stories.