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Alexandra Hills State High School students will light the way to highly-paid science technology engineering and mats (STEM) careers today when they take part in a workshop run by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

The students will investigate how retro-reflectors work, in a workshop linked to their science curriculum.

“It will be a valuable lesson also on the many STEM-based careers are available to them in the resources sector,” said Katrina-Lee Jones, Director of Education and Skills with the QRC.

“Skills shortages in areas such as engineering are a real worry for the sector with QRC’s member company CEOs rating it as their top concern in our latest survey.

“A year ago, skills shortages were at number 12 on their list of concerns, but it has really been exacerbated with our nation’s borders closed to skilled migration, which had traditionally filled skills gaps.

“However, we want to build or local capacity to fill the high-skills roles in our sector, which is why these workshops are important as they expose students to the wide range of careers available to them with us.”

Alexandra Hills State High School Principal Julie-Ann McCullough said the workshop, which linked the science curriculum with real-world applications, was an opportunity for students to see how the theories learned in the classroom applied in the resources sector.

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