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Capella State High School students will test their computer programming and engineering design skills today while learning how to apply them in the real world in a workshop hosted by Glencore Coal and run by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA).

Glencore Coal professionals will share their career stories with the students and mentor them through the Beakers.Bots.Build  workshop, which provides hands-on challenges.

“You can’t be what you can’t see,” said Glencore Coal’s Michael McGrath – Reliability Engineer, Oaky North Mine.

“The students will get a better understanding of the range of science technology engineering and maths (STEM) careers available in the resources sector, and how to set themselves up for these careers,” he said.

“There’s no better time to be considering careers in our sector with professions such as engineering in high demand.”

QMEA Director Katrina-Lee Jones agreed, saying that many resources sector related skills appear prominently in the latest Australian Government Skills Priority List.

“We particularly encourage female and Indigenous students to consider STEM careers, which might not previously have been on their radars,” she said.

Capella SHS Principal Gerowyn Lacaze said she welcomed the opportunity for students to network with industry professionals.

“This is important from a social perspective and helps them focus on career possibilities and what they need to achieve at school to get there,” she said.

“It’s also great to see the students join the dots between their classroom work and experience how seemingly abstract principles taught at school link to real life.”

As Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and skills 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 VET and STEM-related careers, with a focus on female and Indigenous participation. The QMEA currently engages with 80 schools and is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.

Media contact: Caroline Morrissey 0417 770 893

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