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Students from Theodore State School have today (18 August) designed a career pathway while they constructed a hydraulic arm at a Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) workshop.

Thanks to support from Aeris Resources’ Cracow Gold Operations, the QMEA which is the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), was in the Banana region to deliver its hands-on Heavy Hydraulics workshop.

QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Ms Katrina-Lee Jones said about 25 students from Grades Seven to 10 put their design, engineering, and problem-solving skills to the test as they learned about the exciting careers on offer in the resources sector.

“Working alongside representatives from Aeris Resources, students designed and assembled a model hydraulic arm, giving them an insight into the types of innovative technologies used in resources and energy,” Ms Jones said.

Cracow Gold Operations General Manager, Mr Geoff Atkinson said today’s workshop cleverly integrated science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) learning with valuable life skills like teamwork, communication, and utilising feedback from mentors.

“At Cracow Gold Operations, our role as a key local employer in the Theodore and Cracow communities is really important to us, so we’re proud to support regional skills development through our QMEA partnership,” he said.

“STEM professionals continue to remain in high demand, so we hope today’s workshop inspired students to pursue a rewarding career with Aeris Resources at our Cracow Gold Operations or in the broader industry.”

Students particularly enjoyed the technological aspect of today’s workshop.

With digital technologies advancing, the classroom is seeing an exciting transformation in how students can learn, and students greatly benefit from lessons with real-world applications.

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.