The Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) is set to undergo a major $2 million expansion, with the establishment of three new regional hubs which will support thousands more in the coming years.
Currently operating in 100 schools and working directly with around 6000 students annually, the QMEA program aims to increase awareness of career pathways in the minerals and energy sectors.
This expansion, delivered by the Queensland Government, will extend QMEA’s reach to an additional 50 schools and up to 10,000 more students over the next three years.
First of the new hubs will be set up in Mackay at the Resources Centre of Excellence, followed by Rockhampton in 2026 and Townsville in 2027.
The new funding is intended to help provide pathways for even more young people to the resources sector, according to Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Minister Ros Bates.
“The resources sector is critical to Queensland’s economy and as it continues to grow, we need to make sure we develop the pipeline of talent the industry needs now and into the future,” Bates said.
Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last also welcomed the expansion, with being the first regional hub set up.
“Mining is Queensland’s biggest industry employing more than 81,000 people, 60 per cent of whom live in regions like Mackay and the Bowen Basin,” Last said.
“It’s a great industry to work in with so many rewarding career possibilities from the coal face to geology and everything in between.”
The resources sector contributed more than $120 billion to Queensland’s economy last year.
According to Queensland Resources Council chief executive officer Janette Hewson, QMEA would further support the sector which is the “backbone” of the state’s development.
“We need to attract the next generation of engineers, electricians, environmental scientists and many others to be a part of a sustainable and innovative resources sector that will shape our future,” Hewson said.
