The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed today's attendance by Resources Minister Scott Stewart at a special female-only 'Tradies for a Day' workshop in Moranbah, Central Queensland.
The Minister was on hand to encourage 20 female students from Moranbah State High School at a workshop run by the QRC's Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) to consider a career as a 'tradie' in the resources sector.
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said he was delighted to see so much local interest in the girls-only workshop, supported by Anglo American.
"The QMEA was set up to encourage high school students to consider a career in resources by exposing them to real-world mining experiences and school-based skills training, with an emphasis on encouraging diversity and inclusion across our workforce," he said
"The QMEA is going from strength to strength as more educators, parents and students became aware of the career opportunities and pathways available to young people who want a job in resources."
Mr Macfarlane said the QMEA was set up by the QRC to provide a talent pipeline of employees into VET and STEM-related careers in resources, with a strong focus on female and Indigenous students.
"So far, we're in 80 Queensland schools and we're still expanding, thanks to our highly successful partnership with the State Government through its Gateway to Industry Schools Program."
At today's workshop students heard first-hand from Anglo American tradespeople about the skills needed to follow in their footsteps as well as the many career opportunities available in the resources sector.
"Increasing gender diversity in underground mining is a key focus for us, so we're pleased to support QMEA in helping to encourage more girls into trade careers," said General Manager of Anglo American's Moranbah North Mine, Paul Stephan.
"Through initiatives like our Balancing the Team female trainee program, we are fostering an inclusive and diverse culture for all our team members," he said.
"It's so beneficial for our students to be able to chat to industry professionals and learn from their experience, while seeing the real-world application of their classroom learning," said Moranbah State High School Principal Leigh Dyer.
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 1200 community organisations across the state, all from 0.1 percent of Queensland's land mass.
FUN FACT: Prior to entering State Parliament in 2015, Resources Minister Scott Stewart was Principal of Pimlico State High School in Townsville, which is a QMEA school!
