Click here for photos of the 2022 Ambassador Camp.
Click here for photos of the QMEA End of Year Breakfast.

More Queensland students could be on the road to a rewarding career in Queensland’s world-leading resources sector, as the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) celebrates a highly successful year.

The QMEA, the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), hit new heights in 2022, working with more than 6800 students, a 19 per cent increase on the previous year, and delivering more than 180 events.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the program is doing a great job letting students know about the exciting career opportunities for young people in the resources sector.

“Our last Economic Contribution report confirmed the resources sector is worth $94.6 billion to the Queensland economy,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Such a terrific result is only possible because of the highly skilled people who work in sector.

“To ensure the resources sector can continue to make such an important contribution to our state, we need more young people coming into the industry and the QMEA does an important job showing Queensland students how diverse and exciting a career in resources and energy can be.”

QRC’s Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Katrina Lee Jones said the number of schools the QMEA partners with has nearly doubled from when it started in 2017.

“89 schools from cities and towns right across Queensland are now engaged with the program supported by our 24 industry sponsors,” Ms Jones said.

“Students participated in a range of activities, using skills they’ve learned in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) subjects and applying them to some of the exciting work being done in resources using latest technology.

“Students are learning about things like robotics and emerging energy technologies and encouraged to think creatively and work as a team.”

Data compiled for the Queensland Government’s Next Step Destination Survey data showed:

• Of QMEA students following a post-school study pathway, 22% of students did so in the engineering and related technologies field, compared to 16% of students from non-QMEA schools
• Of QMEA Indigenous students entering an apprenticeship, traineeship and other employment, 8.5% of students did so in the mining industry, compared to 3.1% of students from non-QMEA schools
• Of QMEA students entering an apprenticeship, traineeship and other employment, 9.6% of students did so in the mining industry, compared to 2.4% of students from non-QMEA schools
• Of QMEA female students entering an apprenticeship, traineeship and other employment, 9.4% of students did so in the mining industry, compared to 1.8% of students from non-QMEA schools

Thanks to event sponsors, Hastings Deering and Queensland Energy Resources (QER), the success of the QMEA was celebrated at an end of year breakfast today. The QMEA is part of the Queensland Government’s Gateway Industry Schools Program.

Twenty new QMEA student ambassadors have also been named for 2023 from schools across Queensland.

The twenty high-achieving Year 12 students cover both university and vocational qualifications representing the diverse pathways to a great career in resources.

“The 2022 Ambassadors have been outstanding representatives communicating their newfound knowledge of the sector and what it offers with fellow students, and I’m sure the 2023 group will be just as successful,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“QRC and the QMEA would also like to thank our industry partners, including QRC members who pay an annual levy and the 251 industry representatives who have participated in activities this year.

The 2023 QMEA Ambassadors are:

• Karissa Bailey, Dysart State High School
• Lachie Crighton, Pittsworth State High School
• Zoe Delroy, Redeemer Lutheran College, Biloela
• Louis Drago, Wavell State High School, Brisbane
• Carlin Fisher, Australian Industry Trade College, Maroochydore
• Charlotte Fuller, Everton Park State High School, Brisbane
• Tyler Goodhew, Centenary State High School, Brisbane
• Jorjya Gostelow, Moranbah State High School
• Kaitlyn Hagar, Bundamba State Secondary College
• Alex Hodgson, Blackwater State High School
• Libby Hood, Mackay State High School
• Abbey Jackson, Pioneer State High School, Mackay
• Isaac Jansen, Emerald State High School
• Damian Jendra, St Edmund’s College, Ipswich
• Patrick Kennedy, St Joseph’s Nudgee College, Brisbane
• Lana Lockhart, San Sisto College, Brisbane
• Claire Sloan, Rockhampton Girls Grammar School
• Jack Vuichoud, Bundaberg State High School
• Alessandra Walker, St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School
• Lianna Woodsbey, Good Shepherd Catholic College, Mount Isa

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 90 schools and is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.