Mt Isa students on the tools with trades at school
Textbooks and whiteboards were swapped for trade tools and circuit wires this week for some Year 12 students from Spinifex State College and Good Shepherd Catholic School in Mount Isa.
The vocational education and training (VET) students have been participating in 5-day Oresome Trades Camp delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) in partnership with Glencore.
Tradespeople from Mount Isa Mines helped students to build a model mine site vehicle complete with mechanical, metalwork and electrical components.
The QMEA is the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) delivering a range of trade and STEM workshops to Queensland students, encouraging them to learn about the possibilities of working in the resources industry.
QRC Director of Education, Skills and Diversity, Katrina-Lee Jones, said trade camps were understandably popular with students.
“These Year 12 students have selected a VET program pathway for their final years of school, so they are invested in following a trades career,” said Ms Jones.
“Having a full week to acquire new skills, complete a hands-on detailed project and connect with experienced industry tradespeople from Glencore is a great opportunity for them and a pathway to a future apprenticeship or internship.”
By the end of the week, students will have designed a model mine site vehicle for presenting back to Glencore, educators and QMEA instructors.
They will also gain a better understanding of different aspects of trade work in the resources sector including:
- working with metals and machinery,
- auto electrics,
- safety in the workplace, and
- trade apprenticeship programs.
Fiona Pascoe, Manager – Human Resources and Training at Glencore said their team was excited to be working with the students and sharing their career experiences with them.
“Weeks like this are incredibly valuable for young people in our community which is why we wanted to be involved,” said Ms Pascoe.
“Our four-year apprenticeship program is one of the largest in Queensland and we would like to see school leavers from Mount Isa join this program and be a part of the future of Glencore.”
For more information about a careers in resources visit: shapeyourfuture.com.au