From tranquil to turbo-charged, the school holidays have transformed into an action-packed adventure this week for 28 ambitious Year 11 and 12 students participating in the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy’s (QMEA) ‘Oresome Trades Camp’ and ‘Oresome Minds Camp’.

Thanks to support from Glencore Queensland Metals, the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) is delivering an unparalleled experience for promising leaders of Queensland’s resources and energy sector.

QRC Director of Skills, Education, and Diversity, Ms Katrina-Lee Jones said the trades and science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) camps are providing an invaluable skills and professional development opportunity for enthusiastic young men and women in their final years of secondary school.

“Our annual ‘Oresome Camps’, hosted at Glencore Queensland Metals’ Mount Isa Mines, brings together local students as well as those from QMEA schools across Brisbane, Central, and North Queensland for an unforgettable work experience camp and site tour,” Ms Jones said.

“Spanning over a week, these camps serve as a gateway for ambitious young minds considering apprenticeship and tertiary pathways into the resources and energy sector, providing them an exclusive glimpse into the dynamic, innovative, and diverse world of mining.”

Glencore Mount Isa Mines Acting Manager, Human Resources and Training, Ms Robyn Braes said the air was buzzing with excitement on Monday when the students arrived at Glencore Mount Isa Mines’ residential camp, kicking off the exciting learning journey that would see them become resources professionals for a week.

“Working side-by-side with experienced STEM professionals and tradespeople from Glencore Queensland Metals, student are gaining firsthand insight into the boundless career opportunities that await them in highly sought-after technical disciplines,” Ms Braes said.

“Eighteen students from the ‘Oresome Minds Camp’ are showcasing their critical thinking, active learning, and complex problem-solving as they work in teams to complete an assigned project that simulates real-world challenges and opportunities at the Glencore Mount Isa Mines complex.

“The topics chosen for the students, ranging from environmental engineering to process optimisation, strategically demonstrate cutting-edge technologies and industry-leading sustainability initiatives implemented by Glencore Queensland Metals.”

Spinifex State College Principal, Mr Chris Pocock said 10 Mount Isa students are also delving into the world of industrial technology and design as they bolster various trade skills, from fitting and fabrication to mechanical finesse.

“Under the guidance of skilled apprentices and trade professionals, at the QMEA ‘Oresome Trades Camp’, students are working in Glencore Mount Isa Mines’ Skills Training Centre where they’re maintaining a light site vehicle and learning firsthand how vehicles are safely serviced at a mine site,” Mr Pocock said.

“This allows them to explore the many exciting trade-based roles on offer in the resources and energy sector, while further developing their employability skills.

“Concluding this week-long adventure, on Friday students will present their ingenious project findings and talk about the valuable new skills they acquired in front of a distinguished panel from Glencore Queensland Metals.”

As Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and schools 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.