QMEA ready to teach as schools to reopen

4 May 2020

The Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) is ready to roll out term two events across its partner schools following Premier Palaszczuk’s announcement schools would reopen in May.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the QMEA had been supporting the Queensland Government’s Learning@home program through the development of e-learning materials.

“QMEA switched its educational content online using the capability of the QRC led national minerals and energy education portal Oresomeresources,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Through interactive webinars the Academy was able to teach students science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and tips for essential trades which are all needed for tomorrow’s workforce in our industry.

“Today’s announcement will allow the QMEA to plan for its STEM and trade teaching workshops to return to some of the 75 schools across the State the Academy is linked with.”

QMEA is the education arm of the QRC and with the help of industry professionals it is Australia’s largest industry and government educational partnership.

The Academy would continue to offer additional access to educational resources and online experiences to assist teachers in understanding the skills needed in our sector and the teaching and learning of minerals and energy.

“While it’s good news to see students return to schools we understand it could change at any time,” he said.

Premier Palaszczuk said Queensland schools would reopen for Years 11 and 12 from 11 May (next Monday) and for all other years from 25 May (confirmed May 15).

Mr Macfarlane said the latest data provided by the Queensland Government shows that almost 22 percent of QMEA students who finished school in 2018 and went to university began studies in engineering and related technologies last year, compared with 15 percent of students in non-QMEA schools.

“And, 5.2 percent of QMEA students entered a mining field compared with 0.2 percent of non-QMEA students,” he said.

“Most pleasingly, 4 percent of Indigenous students in QMEA schools entered mining careers, compared with just 1 percent of non-QMEA Indigenous students.

“And, 13 percent of QMEA female students in apprenticeships went into the mining sector compared with 2 percent of non-QMEA females.”

Media contact: Anthony Donaghy 0412 450 360