| The Oresome career opportunities in trades will be front and centre for 20 Mount Isa students this week when they take part in a camp run by the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council, the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA).
Run in conjunction with Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines, the Oresome Trades Camp enables students to work with Glencore’s apprentices and tradespeople who will guide them in undertaking an exciting trade-based project.
Glencore Queensland Metals Human Resources Group Manager Clint Milner says during the three days of the Oresome Trades Camp students will have their project management skills put to the test.
“Students will have the opportunity to work in teams to design, engineer and build a small mine vehicle out of sheet metal, complete with emergency lights,” says Clint.
“They will also learn about the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE), how to use it correctly and the value in never compromising on safety in the workplace.”
The students will work closely with the Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines staff throughout the camp and will have an opportunity to present their findings on the final day.
“The camp provides students with practical experience and insight into what a trade offers them in the resources sector, and also allows us to see the emerging talent in our local schools,” Mr Milner said.
“We hope that working with the QMEA and supporting these types of educational experiences will ultimately encourage the next generation of qualified tradespeople into our workforce.”
Spinifex State College Principal Chris Pocock says it was valuable for the students to see how the real workplace relates to their classroom studies.
“The hands-on and realistic nature of the tasks, coupled with the interaction with mentors from Mount Isa Mines is an invaluable learning experience for our students,” he said.
“While encouraging them in their school work, it also helps students to be sure they are on a career path that is right for them.”
The QMEA engages with 80 schools throughout Queensland and is a partnership between the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and the State Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.
The QRC is Queensland’s peak representative body for coal, metal and gas explorers, producers and suppliers across the resources sector. It contributes one in every five dollars to the Queensland economy, sustains one in six Queensland jobs and supports more than 15,000 businesses and 1200 community organisations across the state – all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass. |
