Students from Ayr are the first to participate in the inaugural 'On the Tools at Evolution' trade experience to be held at Ayr State High School today.
The event, run by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) with support from Australian gold miner Evolution Mining and their Mt Carlton team, allows senior students to work in a simulated work environment on a trade-based project over three days.
With guidance from industry mentors from Evolution, students will be tasked with the design and building of a miniature vehicle coupled with the development of a corresponding electrical circuit.
"This is a great opportunity for students to apply design thinking and problem-solving skills while working in collaboration with Burdekin-based experienced tradespeople and apprentices employed by Evolution," said Ms Katrina Lee Jones Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Director of Skills, Education and Diversity.
"The tasks at hand have real world applications across a variety of trades and will give the students a real insight into the life of a tradesperson.
"These students are our industry's future employees and experiences like this provide an understanding of the roles and skills required in our sector," she said.
Evolution is proud to partner with QMEA to provide valuable opportunities for young people in the Burdekin. Donovan Devow is a former student at Ayr State High School who is now a first-year apprentice with Evolution. Donovan and other local Evolution employees are looking forward to sharing their experience and knowledge with the upcoming leaders of tomorrow.
Evolution believes it is important for local students to have the opportunity to talk with industry employees about their journey from school into the mining industry, providing awareness of local mining opportunities when deciding on their career path. Evolution will be discussing different pathways to gain employment which include tailored Job Readiness, Vacation and Graduate programs.
QRC is the peak representative body for Queensland 's resource sector. The Queensland resources sector provides one in every five dollars in the Queensland economy, sustains one in eight Queensland jobs, and supports more than 15,400 businesses and community organisations across the State, all from 0.1 percent of Queensland's land mass.
The QMEA is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program. It has 60 schools throughout Queensland and is supported by QRC members and 24 industry sponsors.
