Students from across Queensland descended on Mount Isa for a series of engineering and trade challenges this week.
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Students with a focus on VET pathways worked with Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines’ apprentices and trades people to build motorised push bikes during a Make It Now In Trades (MINT) camp.
QMEA VET project officer, Kym Frost, said around 15 students from local schools attended the workshop to work with different tradesman and find an interest in a trade they would like to follow on the competition of their schooling.
“As part of the week, the MINT camp students toured Mount Isa Mines’ rebuild workshop, and made a presentation to management on safety, teamwork and communication, skills they’ll expand upon during the camp.”
Meanwhile, students interested in a professional career attended the Make It Now In Engineering (MINE) Challenge camp. The budding engineers were mentored by industry representatives to solve real problems encountered on mine sites.
The MINE camp students worked in teams to help solve a specific on-site issue, and present their project to senior mining professionals at a concluding breakfast event.
Chief Mining Officer for Glencore’s North Queensland copper assets, Matt O’Neill, believed that working with Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) and sponsoring these camps would ultimately encourage a new generation of future engineers and tradespeople.
“Not only does this experience increase students’ understanding of the skills required to pursue successful careers within the resources sector, it also assists them in identifying both professional and trade pathways,” Mr O’Neill said.
“What better way to invest in future skills for the mining industry than by providing unique and unparalleled work experiences to keen students through QMEA’s camps.”
Students attended from Spinifex College, Good Shepherd Catholic College, Chanel College and Alexandra Hills, Cloncurry, Kirwan, North Rockhampton and Wavell State High Schools.