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Students considering a future as an engineer, metallurgist, diesel mechanic or electrician were all present at the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy’s (QMEA) STEM and Trades workshop at Moura State High School today.

The QMEA workshop had been designed to give students a taste of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and trade careers available to them in the resources sector.

The QMEA is the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

Katrina-Lee Jones, Policy Director for Education, Skills and Diversity at the QRC, said the hybrid workshop gave students exposure to professional and trade roles in the industry.

“The Year 10 students will spend half the day exploring STEM concepts relating to the lifecycle of a mine, for example connecting the study of geology with mineral exploration,” Ms Jones said.

“They will also get real-world experience with trade activities linked to the types of tasks mechanics or electricians might perform on a mine site,” she said.

The workshop was delivered in partnership with Anglo American, which had some team members present to share their knowledge and career experiences with the students.

Dawson Mine General Manager Matt Stevens said workshops like today’s could provide the critical point for students as they decided their subjects for the final two years of school.

“I hope the workshop has given the students some greater insight into what it is like to work in a professional and trade capacity on a steelmaking coal mine site,” he said.

“As we re-imagine mining to improve people’s lives and meet the growing demand to provide materials essential for daily life, it’s clear there will be plenty of rewarding career opportunities for these students in the future.”

This year the QMEA is celebrating 20 years of inspiring students to follow a trades or science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) study pathway with a focus on the many rewarding career opportunities in the resources sector.

For more information about resources careers visit: shapeyourfuture.com.au