Local Townsville students took their first steps towards careers in the resources sector when they attended workshops at Pimlico State High School recently.

The 60 Pimlico and Thuringowa State High School students tried their hands at trades, operator and professional careers in the sector during the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) events.

Mentored by staff from our corporate partners, including Downer, the students completed a series of challenges that included practical activities based on the careers in the sector.

Clare Hudson, Downer’s General Manger Talent said supporting QMEA helps ensure that the resources sector has the skilled people it needs into the future.

“It’s important that we encourage students to continue with STEM subjects and particularly young females and Indigenous students, so that the vast range of career opportunities in this sector is open to everyone,” she said.

“We really appreciate the opportunity to be included and partner with QMEA and Downer” said Grant Dale principal, Thuringowa SHS.

“It opens up enormous insights for our students around potential career pathways not only into the resources sector but also into other science and mathematics based careers,” he said.

The QMEA is a partnership between the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program. It has 46 schools throughout Queensland.

Director Skills, Education and Diversity at QRC Katrina Lee Jones commented “These experiences help to bridge the knowledge gap in schools around careers in the mining sector highlighted in recent Minerals Council of Australia research.”

Pictures available here