Click here for photos of Tradies for a Day at Kingston State College.
Click here for photos of Resourceful Robots at Glenala State High School.

Students from Kingston State College and Glenala State High School were recently introduced to Queensland’s world-class resources industry at a series of exciting educational experiences delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA).

Thanks to support from Queensland Resources Council (QRC) member companies, Brisbane classrooms transformed into a trades workshop and robotics lab for the day as students bolstered their professional and life skills under the guidance of resources and energy sector representatives.

QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Ms Katrina-Lee Jones said the industry’s enduring demand for enthusiastic tradespeople and science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) professionals to join the workforce meant there are a myriad of rewarding career opportunities for the next generation.

“Brisbane is one of the resources and energy sector’s most valuable regions in terms of community, employment and economic contribution, and QMEA regularly delivers hands-on programs across south-east Queensland to help increase student and teacher awareness of professional pathways on offer,” Ms Jones said.

“Last week, about 20 Year 10 students from Kingston State College participated in our popular Tradies for a Day event, where they had the chance to try out different trade roles such as auto-electrical, pneumatics, engineering measurement, and mechanical work”.

Kingston State College Principal, Mr Goldy Sodhi said students enjoyed swapping their pens for tools for a day, working alongside experienced tradespeople from Hastings Deering.

“At the heart of our school’s values is a commitment to ensuring our graduates continue to be successful in their transition from school to employment, traineeships, apprenticeships and further education and training,” Mr Sodhi said.

“Some students will pursue vocational career pathways after school, and it’s important for them to know the different opportunities available to them in their own backyards.

“Tradies for a Day allowed them to try out various trade-based roles in the safety of their own classroom, while hearing about the personal experiences of resources industry representatives, and this will be invaluable for them as they consider their subject selection ahead of Years 11 and 12.”

The QMEA team also delivered two ‘Resourceful Robots’ sessions today to about 60 Year 8 and Year 10 students from Glenala State High School who saw firsthand some of the innovative technologies being used at mine sites.

Working in teams, students programmed Lego EV3 robots to drive around a simulated mini-mine site by itself, demonstrating the real-world use of autonomous vehicles and the need for professionals in the digital technology space.

As Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and schools 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.