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A Thuringowa State High School classroom transformed into a trades workshop today (21 July) as 20 Grade 10 students picked up some handy new skills from resources and energy apprentices and tradespeople, thanks to support from South32.

The Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), was in Townsville delivering its Tradies for a Day workshop to give students a taste of some exciting trade-based careers in resources.

QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Ms Katrina-Lee Jones said this popular workshop allows young men and women to try out various trade roles in the safety and comfort of a classroom, under the helpful guidance of industry experts.

“Today’s workshop was all about showcasing the trade-based career opportunities the resources and energy sector has to offer, and these roles are not only increasingly in demand, but also highly paid and extremely rewarding,” Ms Jones said.

“Students spent the day rotating through a series of trade-related activities, and they even got the chance to safely test their welding skills through a virtual welder, which is always a crowd favourite!

“We’re so excited to have had QRC Indigenous Rising Star award recipient William Matters from Hastings Deering at the workshop today, who shared his personal experience and advice to students considering a career in trades.”

South32 Cannington Vice President Operations Joe Russell said the company regularly recruits young men and women to fill apprenticeship vacancies in roles like electricians, fitters and turners, and mechanics.

“We love helping passionate, motivated young people to pursue careers in the mining and resources industries, and we hope today’s workshop has encouraged more students to consider a training pathway that could lead to a rewarding career at South32,” he said.

Thuringowa State High School Principal, Mrs Kaylene Mladenovic said students were excited to have worked alongside experienced trade professionals from South32 today.

“This workshop helped our students further develop professional skills like networking and communication, whilst also giving them real-world experience in roles that are readily available in their own hometown,” Mrs Mladenovic said.

“Students from today’s workshop are at a pivotal point in their education journey, and soon they will select subjects for their final years of high school.”

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 over 90 schools and is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.