Clermont students enjoy STEM workshop through QMEA

Regional workshop held to encourage a talented pipeline of local employees into STEM-related careers, with a focus on female and Indigenous participation.

Twenty-five students at Clermont State High School took park in the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy's 'STEM Unearthed' workshop, supported by Glencore Coal on May 12, 2021.

A group of Clermont students has delved into the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as part of the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy’s “STEM Unearthed” workshop, in an effort to attract the next workforce to the resource sector.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Skills, Education and Diversity Policy Director Katrina-Lee Jones said the purpose of the workshop was to broaden student and teacher knowledge of the incredible range of VET and STEM career opportunities in the resources sector.

“It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Queensland resources sector, particularly because of the role minerals will play in lowering world carbon emissions through renewable energy technologies and all the new job opportunities that will come from that,“ she said.

“Queensland has an abundance of renewable energy resources, and with the right decisions now we can become a global energy superpower, but we need a skilled workforce in place to make this a reality.”

The workshop was held at Clermont State High School.

Twenty-five Clermont State High School students took part in the workshop, supported by Glencore Coal, on Wednesday, May 12.

The QMEA, the education arm of the QRC, will also launch a new promotional campaign called “Shape your future, Innovate our world” by the end of May to promote the benefits of mining engineering as a career in response to a chronic shortage of engineering professionals across the resources sector.

“Through this campaign, we are inviting young people to consider a career in mining engineering which is all about problem-solving with a team, meeting challenges with solutions and working in a field that is at the very forefront of innovation in our sector,” Ms Jones said.

Twenty-five students were in attendance on May 12, 2021.

She said QMEA was Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and skills training initiative and seeks to broaden student and teacher knowledge of VET and STEM career opportunities in the resources sector.

Glencore Coal’s Human Resources Manager, Anthony Exelby said Glencore was proud to collaborate with the QMEA to deliver practical and hands-on activities to local students to encourage a talented pipeline of employees into STEM-related careers, with a focus on female and Indigenous participation.

QMEA is largely funded by QRC members and sponsors, and currently delivers hands-on workshops and programs to 80 Queensland schools.

The QMEA has a focus on increasing female and Indigenous participation and is part of the Gateway to Industry Schools Program which is supported and funded by the Queensland Government.