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Resources industry experts might be familiar with haul trucks boasting a 150-tonne payload capacity, but today they spoke to over 150 Gladstone students about the multitude of pathways that lead to a rewarding career.

The Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) travelled to Toolooa State High School today for the Classroom to Career workshop, thanks to support from ConocoPhillips Australia, as downstream operator of Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG).

QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Katrina-Lee Jones said resources industry representatives from a range of professional backgrounds presented to the entire Year 10 cohort about the direct pathways from school to the resources sector.

“The students in our workshop today are about to choose their subjects for the final two years of high school, and this will lay the foundation for their education and training pathways after graduation,” Ms Jones said.

“If we can equip the next generation with the right information, they can make informed decisions about future study options, apprenticeships, or traineeships”.

ConocoPhillips Australia’s Manager Communities and Sustainable Development, Robert Gibb said education and training is one of the core pillars of APLNG’s approach to community investment.

“It can often be overwhelming for young students to pick subjects that will shape their professional or vocational pathway a few years later after they leave school,” Mr Gibb said.

“Connecting them with first-hand experience from resources professionals shines a light on the steps they can take now to give them the best chance to be part of the future workforce.”

Students heard presentations from Materials and Logistics Coordinator at ConocoPhillips, Michael Holland, Electrical Supervisor at UGL for APLNG, Ben Spencer, and Mechatronic Engineer at McCosker Contracting, Abi Meehan at today’s workshop, followed by a Q&A session.

Toolooa State High School Deputy Principal, Ms Jess Batey said this session enhanced classroom learning as students are also undertaking a short course in career education.

“Students are always eager to understand how school curriculum outcomes are transferable to real world applications,” Ms Batey said.

“Today’s workshop goes a step further by providing first-hand advice from industry experts who are already benefiting from an exciting career in the resources sector.”

As Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and schools 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 vocational and professional careers, with a focus on female and Indigenous participation. The QMEA currently engages with over 90 schools and is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.