The next generation of female technicians, tradies and engineers in Rockhampton are given the tools to start a future career in the resources sector through the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA).
Part of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), the QMEA is set to begin its 2023 program, with a series of breakfasts and workshops.
On 21 February, a total of 40 women, comprised of 20 female Year 10 students from Rockhampton and Gladstone schools and 20 women from the Rockhampton school community including teachers and mothers, attended the inaugural Girls Exploring Trades & Technologies (GETT) in resources event.
Director of skills, education and diversity for the QRC, Katrina-Lee Jones, said the GETT in resources program focuses on encouraging young women to look into traditionally male-dominated fields of study and employment.
“Six events across Brisbane, Rockhampton, and Townsville are being delivered for the first time by the QMEA, allowing young women who may be undecided on a career pathway as well as mature women wanting to re-enter the workforce to learn about the fantastic career opportunities on offer in the industry,” Jones said.
“This initiative supports the QRC’s efforts to create a more diversified and inclusive workforce that attracts more females into non-traditional roles, including our ambitious diversity target of 30 per cent female participation by 2026.
“Comprising a breakfast event and industry panel, followed by an engaging, hands-on, half-day workshop in each city, GETT in Resources is showcasing activities and technical disciplines that correlate with the enduring skill shortages in trades and technologies.”
Throughout the event, attendees are given the chance to hear about personal experiences, challenges, and career opportunities available in the resources and energy sector, in addition to advice that attendees may not hear elsewhere.
Working in the resources industry in rural and remote areas has provided human resources manager with Glencore Coal, Cayla Jurd, with various opportunities to grow as an individual, as they said to attendees of the event.
“Although my areas of study are in Law and Human Resources, I have been afforded opportunities to work across multiple disciplines including in the role of Operations Supervisor,” Jurd said.
“When things are getting tough, whether that be with school, an apprenticeship, university, or work, remind yourself – I didn’t come this far, to only come this far.”
Participants are also given the opportunity to take part in an interactive workshop focusing on skills and roles in high demand in the industry, showcasing the resources sector’s use and development of cutting-edge technologies now and in the future.
For more information on the series of QMEA programs, visit the website here.