Click here for photos

More than 20 Townsville students will dig into the many Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based careers available to them in the resources sector when they kick off the school term with a Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) ‘STEM Unearthed’ workshop today (22 April).

The QMEA, the school engagement arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), aims to excite and enthuse students into continuing STEM subjects in senior school to open up career opportunities in the resources sector.

“Thanks to Bravus Mining, Year 10 students from Pimlico State High School will further develop skills in STEM including design, critical and creative thinking, as well as experimentation, problem solving and communication,” said QRC’s Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Katrina-Lee Jones.

“These are skills that translate into careers such as engineering or sciences,” she said.

“Bravus is proud to participate in this event which helps students understand the opportunities and career paths on offer, which have a foundation in science, technology, engineering and maths,” said CEO of Bravus Mining and Resources, David Boshoff.

“With our mining, renewables, and infrastructure assets based in Queensland and our Bravus office based in Townsville, we want to ensure local students are benefiting from our support,” he said.

“We want students to know about the many opportunities open to them in our sector in the regions, that can potentially bring them back to their home-towns and keep regional communities strong, while building the skilled workforce that we need.”

“The real-world application of STEM skills will be on display and it’s an exciting way for our students to kick off term two,” said Pimlico State High School’s Executive Principal, Joel Buchholz.

“The QMEA program will assist our students to further understand the careers available in the resources sector at a very fitting time as they’re close to making their subject selection choices for their senior years at school,” he said.

As Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and skills 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 VET and STEM-related careers, with a focus on female and Indigenous participation. Currently engaged with 80 schools, the QMEA is part of the Gateway to Industry Schools Program, proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.

The QRC is Queensland’s peak representative body for coal, metal and gas explorers, producers and suppliers across the resources sector. It contributes one in every five dollars to the Queensland economy, sustains one in six Queensland jobs, supports more than 15,000 businesses and contributes to more than 1,200 community organisations across the state – all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass.

Ends. 

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