Click here for workshop photos.

A three-day trade workshop was the perfect way for Bundaberg State High School students to celebrate National Skills Week which this year has the theme ‘VET is a game changer’.

The Year 10 students were excited to swap regular classroom studies with an intensive On the Tools trade workshop gaining new skills under the supervision of experienced tradespeople from Evolution Mining and the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

Bundaberg State High School A/Principal, Craig Martin, said the students had shown an interest in following a trade career and appreciated the opportunity to connect with experts to guide them through the workshop challenges.

“They had to complete electrical, mechanical and pneumatic activities and finish a trade-project over the course of the workshop,” said Mr Martin.

Evolution Mining General Manager – Mt Rawdon Operations, Ben Young said they were proud to once again be sponsoring a QMEA workshop at the school.

“We have partnered with the QMEA to deliver trade and STEM workshops at Bundaberg SHS for many years now and our team has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to share their skills, their career experiences and support their local school,” Ben said.

QRC Director for Skills, Education and Diversity, Katrina-Lee Jones, said the On the Tools workshop was unique.

“The trade workshops are usually for a day, but this program was developed in response to a specific request by Bundaberg SHS and made possible thanks to the generosity of Evolution Mining,” said Ms Jones.

“Vocational Education and Training (VET) definitely is a game changer,” said Ms Jones.

“I am sure that many of the students and educators at Bundaberg SHS would agree that the vocational study pathway, which leads to a career in the trades, is incredibly important,” she said.

“We know there is a trade skill shortage, particularly in the resources sector, so workshops like this do more than build skills, they also provide career guidance for the students at a critical point in their education.”

For more information on careers in resources visit: https://shapeyourfuture.com.au/