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More than 20 high-achieving Rockhampton students will be encouraged to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) when they take part in the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA)’s ‘STEM Unearthed’ educational workshop today (19 May).

Thanks to the QMEA, the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), Year 10 students from Rockhampton Girls Grammar School and North Rockhampton State High School will examine the three stages of mining: production, processing and rehabilitation.

“With the support from industry representatives from Hastings Deering, the students will complete a range of design and experimental challenges while also receiving career advice and mentoring,” said QRC’s Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Katrina-Lee Jones.

“The industry has come a long way from just six percent of women in resources in 2006 to 20 percent in 2020. But we still have a way to go. These experiences open up the eyes of both young women and men as to what might be possible for jobs of the future,”

“The Queensland resources sector is a major employer across many professions, from technicians, geologists to environmental scientists and engineers, many of whom come from the Rockhampton region,” said Hastings Deering’s General Manager People & Culture, Vincent Cosgrove.

“This QMEA workshop will help our girls to develop skills in collaboration, trial and error, decision making, science inquiry, design, data collection and data analysis – the types of skills needed across many careers in the resources sector,” said Rockhampton Girls Grammar School’s Principal, Deanne Johnston.

The QMEA is Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and skills training initiative and seeks to broaden student and teacher knowledge of VET and STEM career opportunities in the resources sector.

The academy is largely funded by QRC members and sponsors, and currently delivers hands-on workshops and programs to 80 Queensland schools. The QMEA has a focus on increasing female and Indigenous participation and is part of the Gateway to Industry Schools Program which is supported and funded by the Queensland Government.

Media contact: Ellie Blumel – 0448122948 or ellieb@qrc.org.au