The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has congratulated State Education Minister Grace Grace for her commitment of a $4.62 million investment to build a new manual arts block at Blackwater State High School.
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said he met with the Minister in August on the need for a new manual arts block at the school to support local students interested in a trade-based career, such as those in the resources sector.
QRC works with Blackwater State High School as part of the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy, an initiative supported by the Queensland Government.
"I congratulate Minister Grace for listening to representations from the school community. On behalf of the resources industry, QRC knows the importance of developing skills in the classroom and we were also hoping the Minister could commit to a new manual arts block to replace the existing facility built in the 1970s. In the Minister's own words, the old manual arts block had 'seen better days'," Mr Macfarlane said.
"Not only did the Minister commit to a new manual arts block, she has committed to the work getting underway next year with a target opening for the new $4.6 million facility in time for the start of the 2021 school year.
"This is a great outcome for the students, their future learning and employment prospects."
Mr Macfarlane said QRC would like to thank local Member for Gregory Lachlan Millar for his representatives on behalf of the School.
