Students get their hands dirty while learning about Oresome trades
In November, 18 students from Year 10 from Spinifex State College and Good Shepherd Catholic College took part in a three-day Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) Oresome Trades Camp supported by Mount Isa Mines.
Students enjoyed working alongside and learning from Mount Isa Mines’ apprentices and qualified tradespeople who took time out of their work days to be program mentors.
We’ve been helping STEM students find their feet in the resources industry for more than 15 years thanks to our employment pathways programs and long-term partnership with QMEA.
Communication skills were put to the test with students required to work in small teams to design, engineer and build a small mine vehicle out of sheet metal, complete with head and stop lights, indicators and an emergency flashing light.
Glencore Queensland Metals Human Resources Group Manager Clint Milner says during the three-day camp students had their project management skills put to the test.
“The camp focusses on students who are most likely already considering a trade pathway after school and we’re excited to help them develop the skills and experience they need to succeed,” says Clint.
Mentor Caitlyn Gardner, Auto Electrician, helped her team work together.
“The hands-on and challenging nature of the tasks, together with close engagement from experienced industry mentors is an invaluable experience for the students.”
“We hope working with QMEA and supporting these types of camps will ultimately encourage the next generation of tradespeople into our workforce.”
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The winning mine vehicle was dubbed 'Mr ARB' due to its tricked out accessories. Pictured with Mount Isa Mines Mentor Electrical Apprentice Calvin Bench.
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Malcolm Finlay’s team demonstrated their creative flare in modelling their mine vehicle after a retro Kombi bus.
Rick Winsor, Superintendent Fixed Plant Maintenance and Operations, George Fisher Mine and Justin Armstrong, Supervisor Hoisting and Shaft Assets, Mount Isa Mines observed the students over the course of the camp and had the honour of naming a winner.
All projects were deemed highly successful by the judges, fully meeting the challenge criteria, completed within the set-time, and with all elements working at the time of judging.
The winning team was ultimately selected for their safe-work practices, having been observed by the judges completing a ‘Take-5’ safety pre-start prior to a task.
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Challenge co-judge Justin Armstrong with Spinifex State College student Daniqua Sipos.
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Challenge co-judge, Rick Winsor with camp participant Lachlan Winter.
On judging the projects, Rick says it was great to see so many enthusiastic students with ambitions to enter the mining industry.
“The amount of talent on display during the camp was amazing and it was refreshing to see a great deal of positivity towards the importance of workplace safety, coupled with a drive to succeed,” Rick says.
“It was clear all of the groups were all immensely proud of what they achieved.”
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Hard at work on the final day of the challenge. Pictured with Mount Isa Mines’ Electrician, Louis Arnold.
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A team testing their wiring prior to judging.
The QMEA is a joint initiative between Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and the Queensland Government, under its Gateway to Industry Schools program, and is focussed on attracting young people into the resources sector. Mount Isa Mines is one of QMEA’s five Platinum Foundation Sponsors.